The Circle’s Freddie Bentley today claimed that young people learning about World War Two is ‘bad for their mental health’.

He clashed with Sir Michael Wilshaw in a Good Morning Britain debate about whether millennials need to know about the war after a contestant on The Apprentice failed to recall when it happened.

Reality star Freddie, who appeared in the Channel 4 show’s first series, argued that learning about how many people died “is not going to help someone in the future”.

He added that issues such as Brexit and climate change are more important issues for the younger generation.

(Image: ITV)

Speaking to hosts Ben Shepherd, 44, and Kate Garraway, 52, Freddie - who was wearing a poppy - began by insisting that despite his views, he understood that WW2 was a “hard situation” and didn’t want to come across as “disrespectful”.

The 22-year-old said: “I don’t think it needs to be put in such a way to young people and young children. Mentally, in their mental health, to be told that this certain amount of people died for you.

“Mental health is completely on the rise now. I don’t think encouraging death and telling people how many people died in a world war is going to help someone in the future.”

Former Ofsted inspector Sir Michael cut across him to tell him he mustn't exaggerate, but Freddie hit back insisting that he wasn’t, adding that learning about it at school was “so intense”.

Sir Michael replied: “Children need to know that it’s a dangerous world out there. They need to know that crossing the road is sometimes dangerous. They need to know if they get too fat, there are obesity issues.”

Freddie continued to say that more relevant subjects should be taught in school, such as saving for a mortgage and climate change.

He said: “Instead of focusing so much on history and holding onto this past, we can let it go a little bit and replace it with a subject the is going to be beneficial to us in the future.”

Sir Michael made the point that young people need to know about the war as it paved the way for future generations to enjoy freedom, and added we need to learn from history to not repeat our mistakes.

Shocked viewers took to Twitter to criticise Freddie's arguement.

(Image: ITV)

One posted: “Talking about World War 2 is bad for a child’s mental health?

“Good god. What a world we’ve created. If the Nazis had won, Mental health wouldn’t even be in the conversation.

“Please remember what was lost by those who fought to give you the freedoms you enjoy. It’s that simple.”

A second said: “And this is the future of our country, disrespecting all who fought in ww2.”

A third pointed out: “How ironic this ‘kid’ is wearing a Poppy - he dosnt even understand its relevance. Every year at this time it’s important that those are educated about the war - absolutely ridiculous.”

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.