Good Morning Britain faced a wave of criticism on Thursday as Adil Ray returned to front the ITV breakfast programme. The presenter, who had not been seen on screen for a while, appeared alongside Ranvir Singh to deliver the news, but viewers were far from pleased.
Viewers react to Adil Ray's return
Last week, Adil took to Instagram to announce that he would be hosting the show on Thursdays throughout July and August. He posted: "Some news! Yes I have not been on in a while but glad to be on a little over the coming weeks, on what remains one the most important shows on UK television, during the most important of times. So many others have left the traditional outlets, so I am fortunate and grateful of the continued opportunity. And of course I aim to reflect us all, especially the Villa fans."
Yet as viewers tuned in on Thursday, they quickly flocked to social media to express their frustration. One posted on X: "Switched on, saw that Adil Ray was on, switched off." Another agreed: "Sorry. Had to turn over today. Adil 'Fake Laugh' Ray is NOT a news presenter and it's only a matter of time before he talks racism."
Someone else declared: "@GMB just switched on, then off again. Can't bear Adil Ray!" And a fourth wrote: "They've dragged the odious Adil Ray back out of wherever he was hiding. #gmb."
Previous controversy over Sharia law comments
Adil encountered fierce criticism back in November after he voiced his support for New York's newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani. In a message expressing his endorsement, he seemed to champion Sharia law for the city. He posted on X on November 5: "Some say Mamdani may implement Sharia Law. He might. The heart of Sharia law is social justice, welfare, fairness, charity and cohesion. Most Muslim countries operate a hybrid of Sharia and civil law, and are slowly reforming and abandoning unethical practices despite the West's portrayal."
In a subsequent message shared on November 7, Adil clarified: "To clarify, I am not actually suggesting Mamdani would implement Sharia law. But many of the issues he campaigned for are also some of the positive values of Sharia that Muslims try to live by. Something many of us would agree on."
