Former BBC presenter Susanna Reid made her debut on ITV today, and the reception from critics and the public was mostly positive.
Good Morning, Britain is the latest challenger to BBC’s Breakfast show – and wearing a vivid red LK Bennett pencil dress, with flattering flared sleeves and cinched in waist, all eyes were on Susanna who left the BBC after ITV offered her a reported £400,000 salary.
Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard, Charlotte Hawkins and Sean Fletcher on Good Morning, Britain
Comparisons to American TV morning shows were strong, as the four presenters – Susanna, Ben Shephard, Charlotte Hawkins and Sean Fletcher – sat behind a glass table rather than a sofa as is traditional in Britain. The show’s two exclusives came from Paul O’Grady, in his first interview after suffering from a heart attack in 2013, and British boyband One Direction. "BBC Breakfast might just have a viable rival,” said the Daily Telegraph, while The Mirror ’s critic said: “They're smiling so much their faces will need planning permission for grinny extensions."
Yahoo News however noted that the “frequent handovers meant that we saw little interaction between the hosts to begin with, so any mention of their 'chemistry' seemed very forced."
One Direction on Good Morning, Britain
Supportive tweets also came from celebrities such as Holly Willoughby who tweeted: "Good Morning Britain is looking rather lovely... Good morning y'all!", while former BBC presenter Matt Cook said: "Very slick, fresh US look for @GMB - seems to have far fewer ads than usual ITV morning shows. And @andipeters is back too - hurrah!"
And the British public also seemed impressed with one fan tweeting: "Loved the new-look Good Morning Britain today - great launch", as another wrote: "I'm definitely a fan of this new "#GoodMorningBritain show @GMB, faster paced news, less adverts and just generally better than dreary BBC."
SUSANNA REID BREAKS SILENCE ON MOVE TO ITV
But not everyone was impressed as Sky News’ Kay Burley tweeted: "Just watching Good Morning Britain ... there's so much going on I need a little lie down. "The Daily Mail also complained about the desk, reporting that: "Later on the show, however, Susanna moved from behind the desk, giving viewers the chance to catch a glimpse of her enviable pins."
Tweeting after the show, Susanna thanked her followers for tuning in, and reminded them of tomorrow’s start time.