ITV This Morning forced to pull call-in segment due to 'legal' fears

This Morninghosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary were compelled to alter a phone-in segment at the last moment owing to potential legal complications.

The presenters were accompanied by relationship guru Philippa Perry on the sofa on Friday (September 12) to tackle the topic ofinfidelity.

"According to new research, September is being dubbed 'cheating season'," Alison began, introducing the segment.

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Nevertheless, the hosts swiftly made clear that ITV audiences wouldn't be ringing in to share their predicaments, due to concerns over legal troubles.

Dermot said: "If you're worried about infidelity in your own home, Philippa Perry is here to give you some expert advice," reports Wales Online.

"Understandably Philippa, we haven't got any calls but people have emailed in."

"We did have some calls," she insisted, before adding: "But they were so upset that we thought they might spill the details and we might get into a legal situation."

Dermot explained: "So we decided to put everything down on paper."

The presenters then read out dilemmas from viewers with changed names who were struggling to deal with infidelity and trust in their relationships.

Earlier in the programme, Dermot and Alison had encouraged viewers to call in to discuss their problems.

After opening the show, Alison said: "September has been dubbed the peak month for affairs according to new research.

"With many people blaming the stresses of summer holidays, the back to school reset and even the return to the office - I can't believe this, so this is the time most people have an affair, in September?

Dermot continued: "We want to hear from you, have you been cheated on? Left heartbroken on? Are you a cheater? Are you having a secret affair and struggling to cope with the guilt?"

Philippa took over, saying they wanted to hear from people who had perhaps been dealing with cheating years ago, or those who are tempted to have an affair because they're "bored and fed-up".

As the number to call the This Morning team was shown on screen, Philippa said: "Whatever your worry is about affairs or cheating or whatever you want to say, please get in touch and give us a ring, we want to hear from you."

"And we're definitely not making light of it at all," Alison clarified. "We want to hear your stories whatever they may be, give us a call for free."

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.