Richard Madeley blasted 'rude' by ITV Good Morning Britain viewers for Eddie the Eagle comment

Richard Madeley has been slammed by Good Morning Britain viewers over a remark he made to Eddie the Eagle.

The TV presenter was back on the ITV news programme on Monday alongside Ranvir Singh, who is stepping in for Susanna Reid during the half-term break.

One of the topics on today's show was the Winter Olympics and particularly Great Britain's performance at the games.

So far, Team GB hasn't secured any medals in Beijing with less than a week to go before the games come to an end.

READ MORE: ITV Good Morning Britain's Ranvir Singh says there's 'sadness' in studio as she pays emotional tribute to late crew member

This led to GMB debating whether funding for the Winter Olympics should stop, asking if the attempt is worth the money when it comes to competitive sport, or if it is just all about winning.

Richard and Ranvir were joined by Eddie the Eagle, whose real name is Michael David Edwards, and Gail Emms, a former Olympic badminton player.

Eddie was the first English ski-jumper and Olympian who in 1988 became the first competitor since 1928 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping.

However, the sportsman came last but held the British ski jumping record from 1988 to 2001.

While Gail argued whether it was worth all the money being invested into it, Eddie said "we should be spending double the amount on our athletes."

But it was comments that Richard made that sparked a reaction from GMB viewers.

"I suppose one of the issues here, which is at play, which we have not really talked about, is that Britain loves a valiant loser," he started.

"And when we get beaten, and when we get beaten in arenas like the Winter Olympics, we do not take it as hard as some other countries.

"We do not beat ourselves up about it."