Good Morning Britain viewers have slammed a guest who wants to ban advent calendars for children.
Author and cook Tonia Buxton believes the daily chocolate treats in the countdown to Christmas are fuelling the obesity crisis.
She even insists the instant joy that youngsters experience on opening the doors and finding a gift is actually “causing a lot of unhappiness in children”.
Read more: Grandmother charges family £30 a head for their £500 Christmas dinner
But viewers blasted Tonia for being a “Grinch” and fellow guest Konnie Huq said advent calendars were harmless fun.
Tonia told GMB hosts Ben Shephard and Katie Garraway: “I would like to ban all advent calendars.
“Now children get chocolates straight away or gifts straight away, so this instant gratification is causing a lot of unhappiness in children.
“They run downstairs and the first thing they want to put in their mouths is chocolate.
“And that isn’t good for children, we know because of the obesity rates. Chocolate advent calendars are a no-go.
“There are advent calendars that cost a phenomenal amount of money and they’re getting presents every day. That’s not good for them.
“We need to bring back the joy of Christmas, and a little bit of delayed gratification will do our children good.”
But Konnie said the amount of chocolate per day in the calendars was tiny and that parents could ensure their kids didn’t open their calendars until after school.
Read more: When IS the acceptable time to put your Christmas tree up?
She said: “Lots of parents I know have a reward incentive where, if kids are good, they get a tick on a chart.
“We could bring it into the reward incentive. We don’t have to give it first thing in the morning.”
GMB viewers sided firmly with the former Blue Peter presenter and hit out at Tonia on social media.
One tweeted: “Get a grip people it’s once a year. I’m sure some people just find things to moan about! It’s Christmas enjoy it !!!!
Another posted: “Now banning advent calendars oh get a life FFS why don’t you just ban living altogether and be done with it.
“I’m putting my galaxy advent calendar up tomorrow and don’t try and tell me otherwise let children be children live and let live”
Seriously just turned on @GMB and caught the end of discussion on banning advent calendars ! Get a grip people it’s once a year. I’m sure some people just find things to moan about! It’s Christmas enjoy it !!!! #Grinch #GMB #lovechristmas #adventcalendar
— Donna (@Mumzyplus3) November 30, 2018
What the hell is this debate? ‘Banning advent calanders’
1. If you think the amount of chocolate per day from an advent calendar contributes AT ALL to obesity. You are a moron
2. If you think you can’t recycle the packaging, you are a moron
3. Will you ban your Xmas dinner?#GMB— BenedictFrancisNews (@NewsFrancis) November 30, 2018
Now banning advent calendars oh get a life FFS why don’t you just ban living altogether and be done with it. I’m putting my galaxy advent calendar up tomorrow and don’t try and tell me otherwise let children be children live and let live #GMB pic.twitter.com/veu4PKiEVh
— Josephine Thomson 💃 (@Josiethomso) November 30, 2018
Why should my kids be banned from advent calendars because you cant parent yours properly? No kid is getting fat off an advent calendar #GMB
— DAFTCHILD (@DAFTCHILD) November 30, 2018
At the start of the debate, Kate Garraway said figures showed that one in five children aged 10, and one-quarter of all adults, are now classed as obese.
* Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am.
Should advent calendars be banned or is Tonia being a Grinch? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!