7 days ago
ANOTHER Good Morning Britain host announces extended break from show in fresh ITV presenter shake-up
Another Good Morning Britain host has announced an extended break from the ITV show in a fresh ITV presenter shake-up.
On Thursday's episode of the show saw Richard Madeley, 69, and Kate Garraway, 58, return to our screens to discuss the latest headlines.
At the end of the instalment, Richard said: 'Right. I'm off for three weeks. I'll see you in three weeks time!'
A shocked Kate asked: 'Are you?!'
'Yes,' Richard replied.
Kate told him: 'Have a lovely holiday! You haven't rebelled, you haven't been suspended...'
Richard giggled and said: 'No...'
He continued: 'No I haven't had the whip taken away.'
It comes after another GMB presenter told viewers they were taking a break from the programme.
During last Thursday's episode, Susanna Reid, 54, explained to viewers that she was taking her 'holidays' as the show wrapped.
Just before handing over to Lorraine, Susanna said she was now officially on leave from the programme.
The host - who is the main anchor of the show - did not say the exact date she'd return to screens, but that it would be at 'term time', likely meaning around the start of September.
She said: 'I am off on my holidays but I will see you at the star of the new term.'
It's unclear who will replace Susanna and co-host the show in her absence from Monday to Thursdays.
However, Richard Madeley jokingly confirmed he isn't going anywhere as he waved in her face following the news, saying: 'I am still here!'
Richard and Susanna's break comes amid a period of change for the breakfast programme ahead of its behind-the-scenes shakeup next year as part of ITV budget cuts.
Lorraine and Loose Women face the brunt of the cuts, with GMB's programme to be merged with ITN, who produce ITV News.
Meanwhile, the Good Morning Britain has been slammed after making a controversial move to cut costs even more.
Execs have axed its US office for the first time in the award-winning show's history.
The Sun reported how the move means Good Morning Britain will no longer have a dedicated team across the pond to cover big stories across current affairs and entertainment.
A source told the publication how the show, which is anchored by Susanna Reid and launched in 2014, will likely use ITN's main news hub in the US for reports.
They said: 'They have completely axed their American operation, with the intensity of the news cycle in the US as it is - especially now, with a president who is making headlines daily.
'How does that make any sense?
'These cuts are a disaster in the making. The way they have gone about all of this is messy and it is devastating for us all.'
The source added it was a 'shortsighted' move and a 'brazen pivot away from journalism' that will result in 'genuine, good quality people' leaving the show.
However, a spokesperson for ITV said: 'ITV is currently in consultation over proposed changes and no final decisions have been made on redundancies.
'ITV News has a significant presence across North America and its award winning bureau will continue to provide Viewers with trusted international news.'
Last year Susanna went clubbing with her grown-up sons Sam, 22, Finn, 21, and 19-year-old Jack during her holidays.
In an interview with Woman & Home, she admitted: 'I'm not really a pub-goer, but I go clubbing.
'I went clubbing with them during the day and had the most amazing time. I stopped drinking in 2018 and I'm now predominantly teetotal.
'I have a Buck's Fizz on Christmas Day, I had half a glass of champagne on my mum's birthday and I have a drink once every couple of months – including a couple in Ibiza – but I don't have pints at the pub like I did in my 20s.'
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 from 6am and is available to stream on ITVX.
