A mum has sparked controversy after claiming it's 'selfish' to choose to be a single parent during a debate on Tuesday's Good Morning Britain.
Panellists on the ITV chat show were discussing the topic after popstar Cheryl revealed she's considering alternative routes to becoming a mother that don't involve a man following her split with Liam Payne.
Off the back of the news, Lottie Daley explained to fellow guest Trisha Goddard, and hosts Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway she felt it was "selfish" to deprive a child from their dad.
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"Cheryl love you are so young, you've got all the time in the world to meet another guy, but ultimately you can't buy children," she said on the breakfast show, before adding: "It's very selfish to deprive a child from the outset of a father."
She continued: "It is very different to splitting up from a person, you start off with the best of intentions but to start off with the exact definition of depriving a child of two parents."
To which, Richard argued: "But surely if the end result is the same?"
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But Lottie replied: "No the end result is not the same."
The author continued: "She is not going to have a father for that child, I have a friend who is the product of a sperm donor and he is absolutely miserable.
"He is so upset that he won't even have children. He is looking for his dad."
Meanwhile, TV personality Trisha weighed in with her thoughts, adding: "You're lucky that your partner wants to have a relationship with a child, but it's not always that way."
Host Kate tried to reason with Lottie by pointing out that Cheryl loves being a mother, but Lottie hit back, saying: "Yes, but what we are still hearing is me, me, me, me."
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Viewers quickly flocked to Twitter to give their own opinion on the matter.
Disagreeing with Lottie, one person wrote: "You can have a baby with someone and they totally change , become selfish and don't care about their child or you! Being a single parent is better than being in a damaging relationship a child will witness, more effects on the child and future relationships."
And another added: "Kids are raised by single parents all the time. I raised my son cause his mother couldn't be bothered an left us both an he turned out great"
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But others sided with the author, with one declaring: "All kids need a Dad. Cheryl is, like it or not, selfish. #GMB."
Good Morning Britain continues on ITV at 6.30am
Topics: Good Morning Britain, TV Entertainment