Channing Tatum slammed by parents for 'cruel' prank that left his daughter in tears

Channing Tatum has been slammed by fellow parents for playing a 'cruel' prank on his daughter that left her in tears.

The 37-year-old actor known for his films including Step Up and Magic Mike had his wife Jenna Dewan film the prank which he played on his daughter Everly, so that he could share the clip with the audience of the Jimmy Kimmel show this week.

In the clip, Channing can be seen telling his daughter, who is just four-years-old, that he has eaten all of the sweets that she collected after going trick or treating for Halloween.

On hearing her father's words, Everly turns around and crawls to her mum before crying into her lap. After seeing his daughter is upset, Channing quickly reveals the truth and shows his daughter where he actually hid her candy, to which little Everly sternly replies 'but that's not funny.'

Channing filmed the prank as part of his presenting duties on the Jimmy Kimmel show after he took over from the talk show's regular host while Jimmy was away.

Each year, Jimmy Kimmel asking parents to send in videos of themselves telling their children they've eaten all of their Halloween candy. 'If I'm asking you to do this to all of your kids,' said Channing as the show opened. 'I should probably do it to mine too.'

After showing viewers at home the clip Channing, who clearly found it difficult to upset his daughter for the prank said,: 'You were right, that really was not funny, I'm so sorry baby, I hope you forgive me one day for that.'

However, people who viewed the clip online and fellow parents were quick to criticise the star for playing a 'cruel' and 'unnecessary' prank on his little girl in the name of entertainment.

'This is mean. Period,' wrote one angry viewer, while another said: 'Totally stupid to deliberately make your kids cry by lying to them.'

'Poor little girl, I'm all for joking around with kids but that's just mean,' wrote another fan after seeing the clip, with another adding: 'Very cruel - what an ass. Nothing funny about making an innocent child cry.'

What do you think? Was Channing wrong to prank his daughter as a joke for a TV show? Or is it just a little harmless fun for an otherwise doting parent? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.