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This Morning viewers were disgusted after Phillip Schofield tried squirrel risotto in Thursday’s episode.
The ITV daytime duo tried the unusual dish, cooked by chef Phil Vickery, as they discussed how the Exmoor Squirrel Project encouraged people to eat grey squirrels.
The project recently claimed the non-native creatures could be served up in stews, pies and kebabs.
Organisers are also in discussion with two restaurants about serving dishes containing grey squirrel.
Co-host Holly Willoughby struggled to hide her reaction when Phil brought the buttermilk fried squirrel over.
The 40-year-old presenter refused to take a bite, while Phillip did the honours.
Holly refused to try the dish (Picture: ITV)
‘It’s so weird, the thought of it, I can already feel it in my throat,’ she exclaimed. ‘Makes me feel a bit….’
Our feelings exactly!
Phillip added: ‘I understand this is a highly-emotive subject and if you are a vegetarian or vegan, then this is horrific to imagine!
‘I don’t have a problem with taste, texture or anything – I wouldn’t know what it was!’
Safe to say fans were felt a little uncomfortable during today’s segment with one writing: ‘The last thing I wanted to see on the TV ( ITV1 ) This Morning programme was Phillip Scofield eating ” squirrel risotto ” suplied by ” chef ” Phil Vikery.’
‘I LOVE Squirrels but not to eat, and i dont agree with culling grey squirrels in favour of red ones, i got tonnes of grey squirrels in my garden, they are pure joy, they are funny AND pigeons are scared of them too lol, i won’t ever eat a squirrel,’ another added.
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A third chimed echoed: ‘Just seen on This Morning re Exmoor Squirrel Project encouraging people to eat Grey Squirrel the world has gone mad.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to ITV for comment.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
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‘The last thing I wanted to see on the TV.’