There wasn’t a dry eye in the This Morning studio as viewers rang up to tell Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby of their experiences of bullying.
To mark Anti-Bullying Week, the daytime show spent time discussing the issue of bullying and the devastating effects it can have on victims and their families.
Worried parent Rebecca called to speak with Dear Deidre, explaining that her son won’t leave the house.
She revealed that her child receives both online and physical bullying which include being called names and beaten up.
The mum went on to confess that her son has told her he is going to kill himself.
She said: “I just don’t know what to do.
“I’ve moved all my tablets, I’ve taken the dressing gown cord away, I just don’t know what to do.”
Rebecca explained that she and her son had not left the house for weeks because the bullying has become so severe.
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The worried mum went on to explain that his school refused to do anything to help because social media still exists and so the bullies would find him wherever he goes.
Holly was left appalled, she said: “It’s disgusting.”
The mum-of-three had to cover her face and wipe away tears as Rebecca poured her heart out.
Fortunately, agony aunt Dear Deidre was able to give advice and specialist call lines for the mum and son.
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At the end of the call, Rebecca as overwhelmed and sobbed: “Thank you so much.
“I just didn’t know what to do.”
Holly, her voice quivering, said: “Oh. Thank you Rebecca, lots of love.”
Viewers were also brought to tears, and took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
One wrote: “@thismorning is breaking my heart this morning. Disgusting to know children feel the need that suicide is the only way out of bullying.”
Another added: “This bullying topic on this morning is so heartbreaking. Having to remove dressing gown ties from bedrooms is so so sad.”
This isn’t the first time there has been tears in the This Morning studio.
Holly had an emotional reunion with St John Greene, whose wife Kate lost her battle with breast cancer in 2010.
Greene – known as Singe – first appeared on This Morning four years ago to talk about Mum’s List – a list his wife left on how St John and his two young sons Finn and Reef should live their lives.
Singe’s wife Kate documented her hopes and ambitions for her sons Reef, 12, and Finn, 10, when she was dying and Holly couldn’t hold back the tears as they spoke about how the movie came together.
Singe first wrote a book about the experience of losing his wife and the list of things she wanted their sons to do after she had passed.
Now, his heartbreaking story has been made into a movie.
He said: “This list and this legacy for the boys and how they should live their lives.
“It was a list for us to do in our old age. But it’s actually affected so many people around the planet.
“Everybody, make your own list! It’s so cool.”
Speaking of how the film has affected different people, Singe said: “One crew member was so moved by the story he drove back to Wales every single night to kiss his two children goodnight.”
Emilia Fox, who plays Kate in the film was also on the studio sofa with the family, said that it was tough to film.
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“It was [tough] because the list is so identifiable.
“Every little bit of ordinary life is so extraordinary.
“That’s what I love so much about Kate, every bit of life is precious.”
St John joked to Holly: “It’s partly your fault we’re still here!
“If you hadn’t blubbed [so much last time on the show], we’d have been in trouble.
“The tissues – you were pulling them out like a magician.”
A visibly emotional Holly replied: “We discussed the movie then, and the story was so incredible and could the possibility [of a film happen] and now, well yes it has and it’s out in the cinemas…”
St John thanked her: “Me and Kate put the ingredients together for a firework, and Rachel helped me write the book. You lit the blue touch paper.”
Holly reminded viewers: “In 2008, Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer which she lost her battle against in 2010.
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“This list and legacy for you and the boys and how you should live your lives and all the things she wanted them to do and keep alive as a family.
“I watched [the movie] last night and this is why everybody needs to see this film, because her message… she teaches you is that every moment is so important.”
Holly then started welling up.
“Don’t start!” Singe laughed.
Mum’s List is in cinemas now.