ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

Piers Morgan has been branded a “stupid bigot” over a remark he made during a heated on-air debate with a non-binary couple.

Fox Fisher and Owl Stefania were speaking to the controversial host on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today.

In heated scenes, Piers asked the pair whether he could identify as an elephant if he chose to do so, sparking a backlash from viewers.

The pair pleaded with Piers not to treat the conversation about their choice not to identify as either male or female as a “hypothetical intellectual discussion”.

The plea came as Piers demanded to know if he could call Fox, who was assigned female at birth, “they” rather than “he” or “she”.

When the couple agreed he blurted out: “But what are we supposed to say, they are talking to they?”

Owl, who was assigned male at birth, quickly replied: “No, them.”

In a bid to explain their choice to identify as non-binary to the host Fox said: “My gender identity is non-binary and my gender expression is more masculine, so I hope that clears it up a little bit.

“I define as non-binary. That means that I identify as neither male or female fully.”

Read more Piers Morgan 'launches' bid to become UK Prime Minister

However, Piers then asked whether the concept was “gobbledidook” and asked if he could identify as a “black woman” and later an “elephant”.

He said: “Can I be an elephant? Can I literally say I’m now an elephant and do I get afforded elephant rights?

“Can I go to London Zoo and demand to be put in an elephant compound because I have decided I’m an elephant?”

An increasingly frustrated Fox branded the interviewers comments as “silly” and said: “The real question should be why is it that 48 per cent of trans youth are attempting suicide? I think we need to look into that because this is a real thing.”

Viewers took to Twitter to slam the host.

One user wrote: “Honestly I'm so sorry that Fox and Owl had to put up with Piers Morgan being such a stupid bigot. They deserve so much better.”

David Taylor said: “Piers Morgan is an idiot. With no understanding of any situation other than his view. Why does he need guests? Well done Fox and Owl.”

Another added: “Fox and Owl are fantastic. Shame that they were completely disrespected on #goodmorningbritain”