Modern Family fans slam their 'least favourite' character - and it's not who you think

Modern Family enthusiasts have taken to social media, expressing some controversial opinions about the popular sitcom, with a particular spotlight on the character Phil Dunphy.

Since its premiere in 2009, Modern Family has enjoyed an 11-season run on ABC, concluding in 2020. Spanning over a decade, the show has given audiences a glimpse into the life of the extended Pritchett family as they navigate contemporary family dynamics.

The mockumentary-style series boasted a stellar ensemble cast featuring the likes of Sofia Vergara, Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell.

Phil Dunphy, played by Burrell, widely embraced for his humorously clumsy antics, has been traditionally seen as a favourite among fans. Yet, there's a budding sentiment online that contradicts this popularity, with critiques directly aimed at his portrayal of husbandry.

Through an X thread initiated by @DunphyFiles, fans delivered their blunt takes, with a chorus of voices suggesting Phil failed as a spouse, reports the Daily Record.

One viewer expressed, "Phil does not deserve the hype y'all give him. He was a bad husband and the reason he gets credit for being the better parent is coz Claire had to be the one that says no."

Another concurred, highlighting the characters flaws: "Phil is the real definition of a man child husband and the sole reason why Claire was always so crazy worried about everything, making her the bad cop."

Adding to the wave of criticism, someone else vented on a separate X discussion: "I cannot stand Phil from Modern Family omg he doesn't deserve Claire at all... I thought from the way people talked about them Claire was torturing him or something...he's an a***** husband and Claire deserved better than him."

"To be honest, Phil was my least favourite character in Modern Family. Annoyingly clumsy guy," another chimed in.

One fan cast doubt on the character's loyalty to his in-laws, posting: "Phil wasn't a good husband and honestly I think if Gloria had shown even a little interest, he would've cheated with her."

Vergara portrays the youthful mother Gloria Pritchett, who becomes married to the family's elder patriarch, Jay, with the comedy highlighting their significant age difference in several secondary storylines.

The show frequently revisits a storyline where Phil harbours a crush on his stepmother-in-law, prompting varied reactions from the audience.

Amid the criticism, some fans stand by the inept father figure, with one commenter saying: "Phil is great, he isn't perfect but he's great. The people trying to revise history and act like he's actually awful need to chill out. It's not always black and white."

Modern Family is available to stream on Disney+ and Channel4