GMB turns awkward as guest tells Adil Ray 'Bring back Ben Shephard'

27 October 2023 , 08:37

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GMB turns awkward as guest tells Adil Ray 'Bring back Ben Shephard'

Adil Ray was left gobsmacked on Good Morning Britain when one guest demanded that Ben Shephard ought to return to the show.

During the latest instalment of the ITV breakfast programme on Friday, Kate Garraway and Adil were joined by former MP Jacqui Smith and broadcaster Iain Dale. As the group discussed the hottest topics of the day including the staggering NHS waiting lists, things soon turned awkward.

It's estimated that the current waiting lists could top eight million by summer 2024 due to an extremely long backlog as well as strikes from medical staff. The Health Foundation has warned that the staggering number could be reached even if the health service staff were not to strike anymore. During the Friday instalment of the ITV breakfast programme, Kate and Adil Ray were joined by Iain Dale and Jacqui Smith to discuss the hot topics of the day.

Adil Ray was left stunned on Good Morning Britain (ITV)

As their discussions came to an end, Adil said: "Jackie and Iain, thanks so much for joining us," before commenting: "And we never mentioned Aston Villa once." This, however, didn't go down too well with Iain responded: "You had to ruin it, didn't you."

Jacqui quipped: "Or their victory over West Ham last summer!" Iain joked: "Bring back Ben Shephard I say," which left Adil collecting his jaw from the desk as Kate Garraway said: "Oh dear." While Adil laughed off the ordeal, Kate responded: "He's wounded now, you've hurt his feelings."

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Ben often appears on the breakfast show alongside the likes of Kate as well as Susanna Reid, who is also enjoying some time off from the show. But in recent weeks, he has been surrounded by speculation that he could be set to join This Morning following Holly Willoughby's dramatic exit.

Iain suggested bosses should bring back Ben Shephard (ITV)

He told the Mirror: "What I can tell you is I'm doing some more – I'm gonna be doing some more but I'm just helping out really. So I've got some days coming up between now and Christmas. So I'm not exactly sure but I'm still very, very much part of the furniture..." Susanna left viewers stunned viewers when she announced her departure from the programme as she looked forward to time off.

Following an interaction with Lorraine Kelly, Susanna said: "I am back in two weeks," as Kelly replied: "We will miss you. Have a great time, Susanna." Susanna's co-anchor Richard Madeley said: "Have a lovely time off," as the show came to an end.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX from 6am.

Daniel Bird