The National:

IT seems Good Morning Britain (GMB) has a tendency to put itself in the limelight – although usually not for the right reasons.

Straying away from Piers Morgan walkouts and debates on “woke”, Alastair Campbell has taken a crack at making viewers cringe.

The former Labour spin doctor made his return to host GMB this morning with a decision to unite viewers up and down the UK – probably not in the way he hoped.

The host bizarrely decided to give the bagpipes a go – playing It’s Coming Home (Three Lions) ahead of England’s match with Denmark.

But the performance failed to hit a note with either those in England or in Scotland.

The GMB Twitter account posted: “What a way to start the day. @campbellclaret is a man of many talents. It’s coming home.”

Most viewers urged the morning show to “please return to doing the news and weather”.

Other users felt the stunt was apt for GMB, with another user saying: “Very fitting in a programme which emits nothing but hot air.”

Some fans disliked the ear invasion for a different reason though, with many shrieking at the idea of playing the bagpipes before England’s big semi-final match.

Danny Britton said: “So it’s England semi-final day, and there you are playing Scottish bagpipes, no thanks.”

And another agreed: “Scottish bagpipes on England's big day ... bad taste GBM. Want positivity not a Scottish bloke not wanting us to win to wake up too”

Although Campbell was born in England, St George’s crosses were covering the studio and he was playing It’s Coming Home – it just wasn’t enough for some viewers: “Should have had an England supporting presenter on this morning!”

Dr Hilary Jones had the right idea though as he was seen covering his ears through the performance.