Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield only just managed to keep it together when their biggest fan Michael Glaister came on the show but viewers at home were in tears.
10-year-old Michael Glaister is one of This Morning’s biggest fans and absolutely adores hosts Holly and Phil. He first caught the show’s attention when he got in touch asking if he could get one of the This Morning branded mugs.
Michael, who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, also developed his speech through watching the show and pretending to take on Holly and Phil’s jobs.
Appearing on the show alongside her son, mum Charlene Anderson explained: ‘He was non-verbal until a few years ago. Just by role playing and pretend play and pretending to present and watching the shows he enjoys. Acting it out [has really helped him].’
Michael was able to make his presenting dreams a reality as he did the opening line to his segment and had the script changed to read ‘The Michael Glaister Show’.
Holly congratulated him and said he was far more professional than her and Phil and Phil joked that he could replace him as soon as he turns 18.
Read more: Holly Willoughby’s This Morning replacement has been confirmed…
Michael was clearly delighted to be on the show with his heroes and leapt up to hug Holly and Phil after they handed him a hamper filled with This Morning branded goodies including a water bottle, cue cards and signed pictures of the hosts.
Holly and Phil were clearly touched by the little boy’s gesture but were able to hold back the tears - unlike viewers at home.
One person wrote: ‘Omg how utterly adorable was that little boy. It made me cry when he hugged Holly and Phil’.
Another tweeted: ‘@thismorning @phillipscofield @hollywills from New Zealand just saw your interview with Michael Glaister ...that wasn’t good television ...it was magic. From a police officer that has an autistic family member thank you ...x’.
A third added: ‘What a lovely young lad. I have had the privilege of working with Asperger and Autistic children and learnt a lot when I was a Teaching Assistant. The tears flowed when Michael hugged them both. Lots of respect for his Mum.’
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