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Susanna Reid missing from GMB day after addressing Piers Morgan’s exit

She usually hosts Thursday episodes with Ben Shephard

Jacob Stolworthy
Thursday 11 March 2021 12:47 GMT
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Susanna Reid addresses Piers Morgan's departure in first GMB show after he quit

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Susanna Reid was missing from Good Morning Britain just one day after explaining Piers Morgan’s departure from the series.

Reid, who usually presents the ITV show with Ben Shephard on Thursdays, was nowhere to be seen on the show’s latest instalment (11 March).

Earlier this week, Morgan stepped down as the show’s co-host after six years following intense criticism over his remarks about Meghan Markle following her interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Reid addressed his exit on Wednesday (10 March) in a speech at the beginning of the show, in which she called Morgan “an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive” broadcaster.

Follow live Piers Morgan updates after presenter leaves GMB

“Piers and I have disagreed on many things, and that dynamic was one of the things that viewers loved about the programme,” she said, adding: “It’s certainly going to be very different.”

Reid reiterated that she disagreed with Morgan’s views on Markle, adding: “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.”

Morgan’s replacement is yet to be announced, but Shephard, who presented Thursday’s show alongside Kate Garraway, is expected to take over.

Susanna Reid was missing from Thursday’s episode of ‘Good Morning Britain’
Susanna Reid was missing from Thursday’s episode of ‘Good Morning Britain’ (ITV)

In Prince Harry and Meghan’s recent prime-time interview with Oprah Winfrey, Markle revealed that she previously had suicidal thoughts due to the abuse she received after joining the royal family. On Monday’s (8 March) episode of GMB, Morgan said: “I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report.”

Read more: Lorraine Kelly shocks viewers with Prince Andrew comment following Meghan interview

Following backlash from viewers and his co-presenters, Morgan elaborated on his comments the next day, stating that he wanted to “clarify his position on mental health” and said that mental health should be taken “seriously” and that it is “not for me to question whether she was feeling suicidal”.

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He added that his “disbelief” was over her claims that “she went to a senior member of the royal household, told them she was suicidal and was told she could not have any help because it would be a bad look for the family”.

Piers Morgan was criticised for his remarks about Meghan Markle
Piers Morgan was criticised for his remarks about Meghan Markle (RTE/ITV)

Morgan reiterated is stance to reporters on Wednesday (10 March), calling Markle’s comments “bilge”.

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