Yesterday, This Morning was transformed into the Michael Glaister show as the ten-year-old read from the autocue to welcome viewers back after the break.
Two years previous this would have been unthinkable as Michael was unable to speak. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of two which significantly curtailed his ability to verbally communicate.
In a heart-warming video, Michael told Holly and Phillip that he watched the show every day and requested their This Morning mugs! After the video went viral, the TV duo decided to do one better than that and invited him on to the show, where he even got to present a segment.
After showing the video, Phillip went on to ask Michael whether he wanted their exact mugs and the answer was an enthusiastic “yes!” As the mugs still had tea in them, Phillip told Michael that they would get someone to wash them out and then assured him they were his.
The little boy from Dundee revealed he would like to work in television when he turns eighteen and even presents his own show at home.
Michael’s mum, Charlene, told Holly and Phillip that his language skills improved by watching television and role-playing. His progress has been astounding and as Holly noted:
“He’s so confident. Not many people could stand up here and read the autocue and do that. It’s incredible.”
She asked Charlene:
“It must have been amazing to have that conversation with your boy?”
His mum agreed, saying that they were only able to communicate through pictures prior to his ability to speak. She also praised his teachers for helping him develop verbal skills.
Holly and Phillip gifted Michael with a new tablet and gave him the “official” This Morning cover – which turns out to be a bit of plastic and a bit of paper! Michael also received a hamper from the presenters which included cue cards and memorabilia from the set.
The present went down so well that, in an adorable moment at the end of the show, Michael gave Phillip and Holly a big hug.
