This Morning viewers have blasted Dermot O'Leary for his 'weird and rude' interaction with a guest when discussing the recent London Tube strikes.

On Friday's installment of the ITV daytime programme, hosts Dermot, 52, and Alison Hammond, 50, were joined in the studio by journalist Rachel Johnson, 60.

Talk turned to the recent transport strikes in the capital, which ground the city to a halt as all Tube lines and some bus services were suspended from Monday to Friday.

Rachel said: 'Remember in the pandemic, we saw a lot of retired nurses going back and pitching in. Well I read this story and that's what I thought.

'Get all the public sector people who are retiring. I don't know - quickly retrain to be a Tube driver and we wouldn't have had the work strike we had if we subbed in all the people who know how to press a button on a tube train.'

But a flummoxed Dermot interrupted Rachel, saying: 'Well, it's a lot more than that, and they're not striking for pay.'

'Well they are, and the hours,' Rachel hit back, before Dermot quickly changed the subject, adding: 'Let's get on… let's get back to the point.'

Visibly taken aback, Rachel said: 'I think I've triggered Dermot there,' to which the host replied: 'To a point.'

Fans of the show noted the cringeworthy moment, and took to social media to swap notes.

'Dermot was very rude just then,' wrote one viewer, and a second added: 'Why did Dermot react like that? Bit odd.'

'What's wrong with Dermot,' another commented. 'Lets get back onnnnn point.'

Elsewhere on the programme, Dermot claimed he was overshadowed by his fellow This Morning hosts at the National Television Awards on Wednesday - because they were 'still talking' when he tried to say a few words during the acceptance speech.

The hit show won the NTA for Daytime at the glittering London event - marking a comeback after two years of missing the accolade.

When their win was announced, hosts Dermot, Alison Hammond, Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley took to the stage, along with a throng of presenters, experts and other contributors.

Alison, 50, began to make an acceptance speech, which the hosts had apparently 'agreed' on earlier.

'Oh my goodness, natural order has been restored,' she said. 'Can we just say a massive thank you to each and every person who voted for This Morning, we are so overwhelmed.' 

She praised the behind-the-camera crew, and credited the show's camera operators, visual mixers, directors, researchers and editors.

All the while, an expectant Dermot was hovering awkwardly over the mic, and looked like he might step in to say a word.

But Alison, who credited the 'amazing legend that is Dermot O'Leary' then handed over to Ben.

Dutifully waiting his turn, Dermot was jilted yet again when Ben passed the mic to Cat, who said a few words before the acceptance concluded and the presenter had missed his chance.

Dermot revealed his disappointment on Friday's installment of This Morning, telling audiences that while the team had 'agreed' on Alison making a speech in the event of their win, he hadn't managed to get a word in.

'You made a lovely speech,' he told Alison on the show. 'And Ben did - and Cat said some words as well.'

Alison burst out laughing as Dermot continued bitterly: 'I opened my mouth to speak, then [Alison started], and I thought "No she's still talking, she's still talking" then Ben...'

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1 from 10am and is available to stream on ITVX.