Ben Shephard was forced to issue an on-air apology on Wednesday after a This Morning interview took an awkward turn.

The singer, 76, joined Mr Shephard and Cat Deeley on the ITV show to open up about her battle with alcoholism.

During the candid conversation, Lulu recalled how those close to her had been shocked to discover she had struggled with alcohol.

“I mean, you know, my son didn’t know I was an alcoholic,” she shared. “When I went to rehab and I called him, he went, whoa, ‘whoa, wait a minute, mum, are you sure?’

“I said, ‘Yes.’ Elton said to me, ‘How the f*** did I miss that?”

Quickly interjecting, Mr Shepherd stated: “Elton has an interesting choice vocabulary. We just need to be careful, because it’s quite early. So apologies.”

“I’m so sorry, I am so sorry,” an embarrassed Lulu quickly responded.

The Shout hit-maker recalled being able to function in day-to-day life despite battling addiction.

The singer, who has been sober for more than 10 years now, shared: “I was very secretive, I was so ashamed of it.

“I would go out and have a drink, a couple of drinks. I would go home, and have another drink.

“You know you’re an alcoholic if you can’t stop. I have a lot of friends who have a drink and say, ‘Oh I’ve had enough,’ but I couldn’t do that.

“I was a highly-functioning alcoholic, that’s why nobody knew. I would fall asleep sozzled.”

Lulu went on: “I’d set the alarm, wake up for work the next day, brush myself off and go to work.

“My sister – the day was 3rd November 2013 – I had a birthday party and everyone left except my sister and her kids because two of them live with me.

“My niece said, ‘Oh so and so, he’s hanging on by his fingernails,’ talking about his problem with alcohol, and I don’t know where it came from, I said ‘He’s not the only one’.

“My sister said very kindly, ‘I know, and I’ve known for some time’. The cat was out of the bag.”

ITV viewers, surprised to hear such language on a morning show, soon turned to social media to see if others had caught the moment, with some fuming about Lulu’s frequent appearances on the show.

One penned on X: “Can’t stand Lulu, full of herself #thismorning,” while another agreed: “NOT AGAIN LULU!! #thismorning.”

“Lulu again. Bet she’s got yet ANOTHER book out, just in time for Christmas #thismorning,” someone else added.

“I feel like Lulu should just be given her own slot on here. #ThisMorning,” another quipped.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Lulu, 76, fights back tears as she candidly opens up on hidden alcoholism battleThomas Skinner causing BBC ‘headache’ as Strictly insiders moan about star’s social media useMichelle Tsiakkas ‘gutted’ over BBC Strictly snub as she breaks silence amid flood of support

“Can’t stand this attention seeker,” one viewer added, while one more commented: “Lulu on ITV Daytime AGAIN??!! Does she leave the studio, count up to 20 before walking straight back in again? #ThisMorning #lorraine.”

However, others found the moment hilarious, with one writing: “Lulu is a legend, she can swear as much as she wants!!!! #thismorning.”

“Lulu dropping the F Bomb on this morning… Brilliant #ThisMorning,” another shared. (sic)