Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard were left cringing as two of their ITV daytime co-stars locked horns in a debate about influencers on Monday. 

During the latest instalment of This Morning, which hit screens on March 23, Gyles Brandreth and Camilla Tominey debated whether online influencing was a viable job pathway which should be encouraged among children. 

Discussing the latest news, a new toy set inspired by 'influencers' was soon brought up by Cat and Ben, who turned to Gyles, 78, and Camilla, 47, for their opinions. 

The toy sparked widespread outrage when it was released by Argos, made by the retailer's in-house toy brand Chad Valley, for featuring wooden toys of the accessories used to make online content.

The set encourages children as young as two to act out filming videos and posing for selfies in what the makers describe as 'career role-play'. 

It wasn't long before Gyles and Camilla locked horns over their opinions, with Cat, 49, and Ben, 51, left open-mouthed as Gyles took a very personal swipe. 

Camilla began: 'It's a bit disturbing, this. Do you think we should be encouraging toddlers to be influencers? I personally think, possibly not. 

'I would rather little girls and boys had "how to be a doctor" sets, there's a point where it seems rather vacuous.'

But before she could continue with further opinion, Gyles interjected with a firm 'no', adding: 'I disagree completely. I think it's just a bit of fun.

'When I was a little boy in the 1950s, my mother would take me to the laundrette, and I loved watching children's television - and as the washing machine went round, I sat in front of it and made faces in front of it as if it was a television camera. 

'I was just playing, and imitating television that I had seen at home. This is what children do, and it's like any costume kit, you can be Batman, you can be a doctor, or you can be an influencer.

'It's a bit of fun, and so I don't criticise Argos at all.'

Camilla tried to disagree, adding: 'So we're alright to say, "when I grow up I want to be an influencer" now?' to which Giles pointed at her, raising his arms, and replied: 'Well, what do you think that you are doing?' 

'I'm a journalist,' Camilla responded, as Gyles let out a sarcastic noise and rolled his eyes, before turning to her and hit back: 'No, of course you are, of course you are...

'But what is a journalist but an influencer. You wrote a brilliant column on Sunday, I read it in two parts, and you were trying to influence me with your ideas, quite controversial ideas it must be said, this weekend.'

'There's a lot of difference in reporting on events and expressing opinion, and stirring in the ring light and being recorded,' Camilla continued. 

But Gyles once again hit back: 'The path we're going down is intellectual snobbery. I think influencers are part and parcel of modern communications...

'Being fun, being glamorous, showing people fashion, Easter is coming and what are people going to be wearing and buying, that's fun. 

'I enjoy watching influencers and I think, if you're a child and you're introduced to that alongside everything else, it's just part and parcel.'

'It's encouraging them to have a career where they will always be on screen and encouraging others to doom scroll,' Camilla concluded. 

Cat and Ben were left shocked by the exchange, and fans at home agreed, taking to X, formerly Twitter, to react to the tense back and forth between the pair. 

One penned: 'Gyles Brandreth handing Camilla Tominey her a**e on a plate by telling her she’s an influencer. She's raging... the shade he's throwing is excellent.'

Another added: 'Gyles has annoyed Camilla!' as a third penned: 'Gyles talking sense!'

It comes after Argos was blasted over the release of the 'influencer toolkit' toy - which is currently on sale on their website for £15. 

The online description for the set, which costs £15, reads: 'This beautifully crafted wooden live streaming set includes six essential components – a sturdy tripod stand, adjustable aperture lens, miniature camera, smartphone model, tablet, and microphone.

'All can be neatly stored in a convenient carrying pouch.'

Smartphone Free Childhood co-founder and director Daisy Greenwell said: 'Is anyone genuinely thinking this is what a two-year-old needs? We have to ask what we're teaching our children to aspire to.

'When we normalise the language and props of influencing in toddlerhood, we send the message that being watched matters more than being curious.

'Childhood should be a time to discover who you are – not to start polishing your personal brand.'

Smartphone Free Childhood, backed by 250,000 families and celebrities Paloma Faith, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kate Winslet and Myleene Klass, says smartphones damage young people's development, mental health and relationships – and expose them to dangers lurking online. 

An Argos spokesman said: 'We offer a broad selection of toy sets that encourage imaginative and creative play.

'This product is part of that wider range, which includes items such as our Chad Valley Tool Box, Wooden Toaster and Pizza Counter sets, designed to help children have fun.'

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.