Thursday’s episode of This Morning left viewers feeling squirmish and awkward as a guest’s behavior during an interview appeared to cross the line from enthusiastic to uncomfortable. The ITV daytime show, hosted by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, welcomed three of the BBC’s Gladiators stars: Alex Gray, known as Apollo, Ella-Mae Rayner, aka Comet, and Livi Sheldon, also known as Diamond. The trio appeared on the show ahead of the upcoming semi-final of Gladiators, the rebooted competition series hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney. Dressed in their signature red and blue Lycra bodysuits, the guests were ready to discuss their experience on the high-energy show, where everyday contestants battle it out against the athletic Gladiators in a series of intense physical challenges to earn points.

While the segment was meant to be lighthearted and promotional, things took an unexpectedly tense turn during the chat. Viewers quickly took to social media to express their discomfort with Alex Gray’s demeanor, particularly in how he interacted with co-host Ben Shephard. Some interpreted his body language and tone as trying to “show dominance” or even intimidate Ben. One viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Is he tryna show dominance or intimidate Ben? Shut ya legs buddy,” implying that Alex’s physical posture was invasive or overly assertive. Others echoed the sentiment, describing the exchange as “awkward” and “uncomfortable to watch.”

Although there was no outright confrontation, the tension was evident to many watching at home. Alex, who appeared particularly animated during the interview, may have been trying to bring the larger-than-life energy expected of a Gladiator, but for some, it didn’t translate well in the morning talk show setting. With Ben Shephard being known for his calm and professional demeanor, the perceived clash of personalities added to the sense of unease. Meanwhile, Cat Deeley appeared slightly taken aback at moments but maintained the flow of the interview, steering the conversation back to the upcoming semi-final and the challenges faced by the competitors.

Reactions online highlighted a broader discomfort among viewers when television guests blur the lines between performance and presence. While Gladiators is undeniably about strength, charisma, and intensity, the studio environment of This Morning typically calls for a more relaxed and conversational tone. Fans of the show were quick to compare Alex’s approach to the more composed behavior of his co-stars, Comet and Diamond, who offered insights into training and behind-the-scenes dynamics with charm and ease. Ultimately, while the segment did succeed in drawing attention to the Gladiators semi-final, it may have done so for the wrong reasons, as the focus shifted from the show’s thrills to an unexpected case of morning show discomfort.