GOOD Morning Britain anchor Richard Madeley sparked fan concern after returning to the ITV series with a hugely painful injury.
The former This Morning frontman, 69, was back on-screen alongside Susanna Reid, 54, for Monday’s episode.
Richard Madeley sparked concern with his appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday[/caption]
The 68-year-old anchor was seen wearing a cast[/caption]
He told how he has a double fracture of the wrist[/caption]
Yet fans of the early-morning show were left worried after noting the broadcaster was clad with a huge cast on his right arm.
The white plaster support could be seen peeking out of Richard‘s smart black suit as he fronted Good Morning Britain from his regular spot on the desk.
Others also noted his voice sounded husky and “digitised” amid his injury woe, which he outlined at the top of the show.
Susanna said: “Richard you better explain,” to which he replied: “I thought you were going to say did I have a good break!”
After the pair giggled, he continued: “It’s a double fracture of the wrist.
“I was walking quite quickly down a steep pavement in France on Friday, and the pavement was loose.
“It flipped up and it flipped me forward and I thought am I going to win or will gravity win?
“And gravity won and I hit the ground hard.
“So yeah I’ve got a double fracture and we’ll see how it goes.”
After issuing a supportive “aww,” Susanna then quizzed: Is it sore at the moment?”
The brave host said: “I’m not discussing the pain threshold we just don’t think about pain.”
One ITV viewer took to X to write: “Awww Madeley has an owie.”
A second put: “Is Richard channeling his inner Keith lemon this morning with his bandage?”
The Sun has gone to GMB for comment.
Good Morning Britain presenters
Current presenters:
- Susanna Reid (presenters Monday to Wednesday and alternate Thursdays) – 2014 to present
- Kate Garraway (presenters alternate Thursdays and Fridays) – 2014 to present
- Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) – 2021 to present
- Richard Madeley (presents Monday to Thursday) – 2022 to present
- Ed Balls (presents on a rotating basis) – 2022 to present
- Adil Ray (presents on Fridays) – 2024 to present
- Robert Rinder (presents on a rotating basis) – 2024 to present
- Charlotte Hawkins (stand in and holiday cover presenter) 2014 to present
Former presenters:
- Ben Shephard (Thursdays and Fridays) – 2014 to 2024
- Sean Fletcher (Monday–Friday) – 2014
- John Stapleton (Wednesday) – 2014
- Piers Morgan (Monday to Wednesday) – 2015 to 2021
- Lorraine Kelly (Monday to Friday) – 2022
Last week, Ed Balls fronted the show alongside mum of three Susanna.
TOUGH TIME
The injury comes amid a rough time for Richard and a slew of ITV broadcasters.
It comes amid a huge shake up of the daytime TV offering at the channel.
We were first to report how veteran journalist Richard was facing the axe after crunch talks with telly bosses.
In May, sources say Richard was told his contract, worth a reported £300,000 a year, would not be renewed on current terms when it expires in December.
He hit back and negotiated a new deal with bosses — but it will mean a significant cut in his hours and pay.
A source said: “This one has really rocked the ITV corridors because Richard is such a big name and a legend of daytime telly.
it became apparent Richard had a meeting with the network’s most senior bosses and he’s now being kept on in a more part-time role.
“He’s got himself back on the show — but his hours are significantly cut.”
Richard made an unexpected return to daytime telly in 2021 after Piers Morgan left GMB in a row over Harry and Meghan.
He had co-hosted ITV’s This Morning with wife Judy Finnigan for 13 years from 1988 to 2001.
They had been the golden couple of daytime telly and it was thought both were happy to enjoy retirement at their homes in London and Cornwall.
But Richard made a shock return to the screen as ITV bosses brought him in as a regular joint presenter on GMB with Susanna.
He quickly established himself as a popular face on the breakfast show, building up a warm rapport with his co-host and taking on the main male anchor role.
TV SHAKE UP
Former MP Ed is set to be kept on, despite some viewers criticising the show for having a conflict of interest when he has been interviewing his former Labour political colleagues.
Ed, who became a presenter on the GMB rota in 2022, has been pulled out of the studio in recent months when there is an interview with his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, leaving Susanna to do it alone.
ITV bosses announced that Lorraine, shown on weekdays from 9am to 10am, would air on just 30 out of 52 weeks from next year.
GMB will also be extended.
Susanna asked her co-host if he was in pain[/caption]
He soldiered on with the day job[/caption]
It has been a tough time for Richard and GMB as a whole of late[/caption]
