U.S. TV host Ellen DeGeneres had to hold back tears on her daytime show on Wednesday when model/actress Jenny McCarthy told her a fish tale about her autistic son Evan.

McCarthy told the host she was stunned when her boy likened himself to DeGeneres’ Finding Nemo character Dory during a car trip.

The former Playboy pin-up said, "Evan has come such a long way. That kid has come such a long way to get to where he is.

"He said, ‘Mom, you know I used to be a lot like Dory.’ I literally pulled over and looked and turned around and I started crying, because of what he meant.

"He said, ‘Dory had a really hard time remembering her words and I couldn’t remember them…’ We sat on the side of the road for about 15 minutes while I cried.

"He said, ‘I’m not like Dory anymore, I can remember.’" DeGeneres was touched by the story, telling her guest, "I’m gonna cry right now… That’s incredible."

DeGeneres then offered to call McCarthy’s son as his favorite cartoon character.