TV viewers were left furious today after Richard Madeley branded Sir David Attenborough as "just a broadcaster".

It comes after Good Morning Britain welcomed climate change protest organiser Dr Gail Bradbrook into the studio, to debate whether breaking the law and causing havoc is an appropriate path towards change.

Madelely made the remark during a discussion with Dr Bradbrook on the Extinction Rebellion protests currently taking place in London, where thousands blocked roads and saw some activists damage the Shell oil company. 

Dr Bradbrook defended the protest and deployed arguably Britain's most popular man to justify her cause.

She said: "Sir David Attenborough said that the collapse of this civilization could happen soon."

Richard Madeley and Dr Gail Bradbook

The ITV show's host was unimpressed with this: "But he's not a saint you know, he's just a broadcaster."

Dr Bradbrook ignored the dig at Sir David, adding: "The UN Secretary General called an emergency meeting and said human extinction in my children's lifetime is a possibility."

Viewers were however less willing to neglect the comment by Madeley, with one branding him an "absolute twit".

Another responded: "David Attenborough is NOT "just" a broadcaster. Without him and his documentaries, we as a human race would not currently know the extent of the world's destruction cause by our own race!"

"Don't you ever disrespect David Attenborough like that again," post one furious viewer. 

One viewer even compared Sir Attenborough with the Good Morning Britain presenter, posting: "A broadcaster that knows far more about the dire situation that our climate is in than you by the sound of things."

Others found the situation funny, with Madeley dubbed "the gift that keeps on giving".  

Another explained: "GMB has cheered my day up. Hilarious saying Sir Richard Attenborough's opinion needs to be challenged as he's just a broadcaster."