Two brothers have sparked a sexism row after appearing on Good Morning Britain topless.

Fitness gurus Tom and James Exton, from south-west London, appeared on the show to talk about fitness myths with host Ben Shephard and give a live demonstration on a pair of exercise bikes.

But furious viewers took to Twitter to blast the twins' appearance as 'sexist' and question why they chose to appear semi-nude.

'Why are there two topless men on exercise bikes?' one wrote. 'Why haven't they got t-shirts on? Wouldn't have two topless women would you?'

Frank Dutton added: 'Great clip and some good ideas. But hwy did the guys have to be topless? Would two women be topless? Reverse sexism at its finest.'

The brothers whipped off their tops before climbing onto exercise bikes in a bid to compare the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus a longer stint on the bike without a break.

They later performed a sitting 'squat challenge' demonstration.

Following the brothers' appearance, furious viewers took to Twitter to blast the twins' appearance as 'sexist' and question why they had to appear semi-nude

Twitter user Cydney Yeates claimed he 'couldn't cope' with the amount of sexism on the show, while Kathy wrote: 'Would they expect a woman to do that?' One even used the hashtag #everydaysexism.

The pair, who set up gym business LDN Muscle alongside brothers Max and Loyd Bridger in 2013, have been accused of pedalling 'reverse sexism' by appearing topless.

Stephanie Hall replied: 'How many women are allowed to walk topless round a park in summer? Apparently that's public indecency.'

Fitness gurus Tom (right) and James Exton, from London, appeared on the show to talk about fitness myths with host Ben Shephard and give a live demonstration on a pair of exercise bikes

The brothers went topless on a pair of exercise bikes in a bid to compare the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus a longer stint on the bike without a break

Twitter user McG agreed, writing: 'Imagine if a man said id (sic.) like to see a female tennis player not wear a top during a match. how do i complain of sexism.'

But some social media users were bemused by the backlash, with Chris Hardy commenting: 'Bwahahaha for the love of God. Oh and for the record I'm happy for women to be topless.'

Others seemed delighted, with one Twitter user writing: 'that topless man with the beard on @GMB was a treat to wake up to.'

SimonTier claimed 'Mrs T' was having a 'hot flush' after spotting the Exton brothers on TV.

The brothers sparked controversy after going topless on a pair of exercise bikes in a bid to compare the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus a longer stint

A Good Morning Britain spokesperson said: 'The Exton twins are an established fitness duo who were invited on GMB as part of the Fad Free GMB item to promote health and fitness.

'James and Tom did not wear tops during the item as that is how they regularly appear so people can see they are in good physical shape.'

Tom Exton told FEMAIL: 'Our main aim is to help others, to transform the way they both look and feel, in the way that [we] have, and indeed tens of thousands of other ladies and gents.

While many viewers blasted the brothers' appearance as promoting 'reverse sexism', others seemed delighted, with one Twitter user calling them 'a treat to wake up to'

'If people take inspiration, or admiration from the bodies we have achieved then that, in our eyes, is only positive.

'We don't see it as double standards at all. It's in line with current social norms and trends and a lot more tame than a lot of content that is broadcast on mainstream TV.'

He added: 'Female fitness names commonly wear clothing designed to show their bodies ( e.g a sports bra) and that show substantially more flesh than a gent in a tee, us guys bearing our flesh isn't too dissimilar!'