Phillip Schofield hits out at This Morning guest on benefits who used taxpayers’ money to blow nearly £3,000 on Christmas gifts and Prosecco

PHILLIP Schofield blasted a guest on This Morning today as she admitted she blew nearly £3,000 of taxpayers' money on Christmas gifts and Prosecco.

Mum-of-four Deborah Hodge, who previously appeared on Channel 5’s On Benefits, revealed she spent £2,800 on presents including husky puppies and used her £10 state bonus to get two bottles of fizz.

Host Phillip lashed out as the former teacher said she was "proud" to be on benefits.

Deborah told how a series of unfortunate events resulted in her ending up needing state help.

She explained: “I was a teacher for a long time and unfortunately my partner had a breakdown.

“He’d been in the army and it was quite a serious one, he was sectioned and we left the village that we were in and returned to London.

“My children had PTSD, my youngest had health problems. I walked out on my job, but there were serious reasons.”

Clearly unimpressed from the start, Phil said: “The number four features quite heavily, four-bedroom house, four children, four different fathers."

Deborah, who we previously revealed claimed to have married Virgin boss Richard Branson, reasoned that she did once pay a lot in tax.

She said she’d had a high income and revealed she’s been headhunted for a sales position which she will take "if it fits around the children".

Phil argued she could have saved the money she splashed out on Christmas for the future education of her children, aged three, ten, 14 and 19, or something that was "worthwhile".

But what really "got his back up" was her choice to splash her £10 Christmas bonus on booze.

He told Deborah: “You bought two bottles of Prosecco with it, which you’re perfectly able to do.

“But then you said, ‘So cheers to the taxpayer for my Christmas gift’. Do you not think that’s a little bit incendiary?”

Deborah argued: “By day I’m a mum, and I’m also a writer.

“I work very hard, I don’t drink Prosecco much because of its adverse effects, so I was grateful for that.”

But Phil wasn’t having any of it.

He shot back: “It doesn’t sound like that. It sounds like ‘Cheers! Here’s what I bought with your money.'”

Admitting she probably shouldn’t have said what she did, Deborah stuck by it, adding: “I’m proud to be caught by the benefits system. We can live a little, not a lot.”

After explaining she also used credit cards and loans to pay for her kids’ Christmas presents, she explained: “I wanted my children to have the Christmas we used to have, as we used to have a lot of money.

“We’ve had an awful year with bullying and if my books work out I’ll be able to pay it off and some.”

Viewers weren’t impressed either, with many taking to Twitter to criticise Deborah’s attitude.

Kim Anders tweeted: “I've no issue with benefits...but to 'thank' the taxpayer?! Cheeky woman! I work round the clock for people like her!!!”

But Samantha Jane thought Phil was in the wrong, writing: “This lady said this is rock bottom and is trying to get off benefits, she's not a sponger. Phil should've been more professional #ThisMorning.”

Davina McCall is currently standing in for Holly Willoughby as she enjoys a holiday with family and friends in Barbados.