WHEN Piers Morgan sensationally quit his job as host of Good Morning Britain back in March 2021 there was one thing on everyone’s lips.
Viewers immediately started wondering who will be lined up to replace him on the ITV breakfast show.
Who is replacing Piers Morgan on GMB?
On November 2, 2021 The Sun exclusively revealed how Richard Madeley is to replace Piers Morgan as a full-time presenter on Good Morning Britain.
The star, 65, who will appear with Susanna Reid is finalising an estimated £300,000-a-year deal.
Richard agreed to be a full-time host of Good Morning Britain following a heart-to-heart with wife Judy Finnigan.
Insiders said his guest stints on the ITV show are proving a hit and helped convince him to take the full-time gig.
He officially starts after his highly anticipated appearance on I’m A Celebrity 2021.
A source said: “Richard has always maintained he would never do GMB full-time, as he loves his life as it is.
“But as the weeks have gone by, and he’s proven a constant hit with viewers, he’s really got into his stride and has been enjoying it more and more.
“He polls really well with fans and ratings have steadily been on the rise again over the past six months. After a couple of meetings with ITV bosses, he was offered a staff contract. And after consulting with his family, especially wife Judy, he decided ‘sod it’ — and to go for it.
more on GMB
“I’m A Celebrity will effectively be the perfect launch pad to start the new gig, and he’s a brilliant addition to the GMB squad.”
As a veteran of live TV, it’s not a surprise that Richard is the top favourite to take the job.
He has filled in for Piers on GMB many times when he has been off on holiday, and is popular with viewers.
Richard is also an ITV favoruite and morning TV legend.
From 1988 to 2001 he hosted This Morning with his wife Judy.
Why did Piers Morgan leave GMB?
It was announced on March 9, 2021, that Piers had quit GMB.
It came after he received over 41,000 complaints to TV regulator Ofcom after the show on Monday, March 8, where he said that he didn’t believe Meghan’s claims she’d suffered with her mental health and been suicidal.
He stormed off set during a huge row with co-star Alex after he criticised his reaction to Meghan’s comments.
He dramatically resigned after senior execs said they wanted him to say sorry on air following his heated clash with the show’s weather presenter.
But Piers said he was not willing to apologise, and walked – bringing an immediate end to his six-year stint on the morning show.
Piers has since joined talkTV and The Sun.
Who has hosted GMB since Piers Morgan left?
A whole array of Britain’s biggest presenters have stepped up to the role since Piers quit, this has included:
- Ben Shephard
- Richard Madeley
- Judge Rinder
- Alistair Campbell
- Eamonn Holmes
What has Piers Morgan said about leaving GMB?
In his first tweet after quitting, Piers said: “Thinking of my late, great manager John Ferriter tonight. He’d have told me to do exactly the same thing. @GMB #TrustYourGut.”
He then told his 7.8million followers: “On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview.
“I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t. If you did, OK. Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on.
“Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions.”
He quoted Churchill on free speech, adding: “Some people’s idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they are like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.”