Susanna Reid has promised Good Morning Britain will be “very different” now Piers Morgan has left as a lead anchor on the show.
The broadcaster, 50, spoke out on his decision to leave GMB, with fans convinced she was close to tears as she discussed their longstanding working relationship.
She said: “A number of people, of course, will know the news and many of you will not and will be surprised that Piers Morgan is not here this morning.
“Now Piers and I have disagreed on many things and that dynamic was one of the many things that viewers loved about the programme.”
The former GMB presenter, 55, announced he was leaving the role on Tuesday amid an Ofcom investigation into his coverage of Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Piers Morgan announced he was leaving Good Morning Britain on Tuesday evening (Image: ITV)
Over 41,000 viewers contacted the watchdog to complain about Monday’s GMB, which saw Piers at one point claim he “didn’t believe anything” the Duchess of Sussex had said in the interview.
Susanna said: “He is without a doubt an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster. He has many critics and he has many fans.
“You will know that I disagreed with him about Meghan’s interview. He himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday. There are many voices on GMB and everyone has their say.”
Susanna Reid spoke out on Piers exit, paying tribute to their working relationship (Image: ITV)
“Now Piers has decided to leave the programme. Some of you may cheer,” Susanna went on.
“He has been my presenting partner Monday to Wednesday for more than five years and during Brexit and the pandemic and other issues he has been a voice for many of you, and a voice that many of you have railed against.
“It is certainly going to be very different. But shows go on, and so on we go.”
Susanna’s co-star, Ranvir Singh, praised the statement, replying: “Well said. That can’t have been easy, it’s not easy is it.”
Ranvir Singh replaced Piers on the show as they discussed his exit (Image: ITV)
Meanwhile, over on Twitter, viewers were convinced Susanna had grown tearful, as they took to their keyboards to reflect on her emotional statement.
“Susanna looks like she’s about to cry,” said one fan, and another remarked: “Thought Susanna was actually going to cry.”
As part of the morning news bulletin, GMB also referenced Piers’ Ofcom investigation, after the watchdog received the second-highest number of complaints in its 17-year history.
Announcing his departure, a statement released by ITV read: “Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain.
“ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add.”
Speaking out on his exit, Piers shared an image of his late manager, John Ferriter, hours later, saying: “He’d have told me to do exactly the same thing.”
Good Morning Britain airs on weekdays at 6am on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
