The Staircase's Michael Peterson confused by Phillip Schofield's savage remark

Michael Peterson was confused by a "remarkable twist of fate" at the end of his This Morning interview.

The 78-year-old is the subject of the the documentary series, The Staircase. The 13 part programme follows the novelist's trial as he was convicted in 2003 of murdering his wife, Kathleen Peterson.

Peterson was granted a new trial eight years later when a judge ruled a critical prosecution witness gave a misleading testimony. He submitted an Alford plea in 2017 and the charge was reduced to manslaughter.

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The judge sentenced him to time already served and he was freed. The story has since been adapted into a television series as multiple theories have developed for how Kathleen died.

Peterson appeared on today's edition of This Morning and was grilled by Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on the circumstances surrounding his wife's death. Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of the staircase of her home in 2001 with "deep laceration on her skull, face, back, hands, arm and wrists".

Peterson said: "Pathologists looked at all the evidence and said ‘no, she was not beaten to death’ and I could never figure it out [what happened]... my understanding of it was, and it’s hard to believe this, but it was over 20 years ago, but the theory was that yes she fell but she tried to get up and slipped in all the blood…

"I don’t know what it was or what happened to her. There are numerous theories, but I think she fell - she had alcohol, she had valium, flexerole.. I don’t know, I honestly, I wish I could tell you.”

Kathleen's death is not the first time Peterson became linked to a staircase related death as he was the last person to see Elizabeth Ratliff before she was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her home in 1985.

Elizabeth was a close friend of Peterson and his first wife, Patricia - and he explained her death was ruled an accident as a coroner deemed she had fallen down the stairs after suffering a stroke.

Viewers were shocked by Phil's remark at the end of the interview when he told Peterson: "In a remarkable twist of fate, our team member who was looking after you yesterday saved you from falling down the stairs."

Peterson looked confused by the comment as Phil added: "Oh you don't remember that one either"

Fans following the show on Twitter were taken aback by the end to the interview.

David said: "Wow it’s hilarious isn’t it making jokes about falling down stairs"

Traylor posted: "What an awkward end to the interview"

Kareema added: "Why are they making a joke about falling down the stairs when his wife tragically died that way"

Liam commented : "Our team member who was looking after you yesterday stopped you falling down the stairs He did? Did I just imagine that??"

@PrincessPKaur tweeted: "He did?? You don’t remember that one either! Omg. Shouldn’t laugh but …"

This Morningairs weekdays from 10am onITV & ITV Hub

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