Fans of ITV's flagship breakfast programme Good Morning Britain expressed significant frustration during Friday's broadcast, with many taking to social media to declare they were switching off the show. The episode, presented by Ranvir Singh and Kate Garraway, who were standing in for the regular Friday hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid, quickly drew criticism for its perceived volume and chaotic presentation style.
Social Media Backlash Over Presentation Style
Within minutes of the programme beginning, disgruntled viewers flocked to platforms like X, formerly Twitter, to voice their immediate complaints. A common theme emerged, with fans branding the show as excessively noisy and difficult to watch. One viewer posted, "I've had to turn GMB off, the noise from those presenting is hurting and irritating, turn them down." This sentiment was echoed by others who found the auditory experience overwhelming.
Specific Viewer Complaints Detailed
The criticism extended beyond mere volume, with viewers highlighting specific issues with the on-air dynamics. One social media user pointed out the problem of presenters talking over each other, stating, "The talking over the top of each other is getting worse. It's becoming unwatchable, especially on a Friday." Another frustrated fan commented on the competitive atmosphere, saying, "@GMB the interrupting each other and the hosts battling to speak and be the main character is so annoying! Fridays are a headache."
Some viewers also mentioned tuning out to avoid certain segments or guests, with one noting they switched to BBC to avoid a potential appearance by former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, stating they were "not interested in a useless chancellor's opinions on anything."
Context of Scheduling and Format Changes
This viewer reaction comes amidst a period of significant change for ITV's daytime programming. Ranvir Singh has recently secured a more permanent position presenting the Friday edition of Good Morning Britain, following wider scheduling shake-ups across the network's daytime slate. The pairing of Singh and Garraway represents a notable shift from ITV's traditional preference for mixed-gender presenting duos, such as the established partnership of Susanna Reid and Ed Balls.
Operational Changes Behind the Scenes
Furthermore, the show itself has undergone operational adjustments. The running time for Good Morning Britain has been extended by 30 minutes per episode, now broadcasting from 6am until 9:30am. These episodes are set to be lengthened by an additional half-hour during periods when the following programme, Lorraine, is off air.
This follows a major overhaul of ITV's daytime schedule announced last year, which affected not only GMB but also other staples like Loose Women, Lorraine, and This Morning. As part of this restructure, Loose Women is returning to its former 12:30pm to 1:30pm slot on a 30-week seasonal basis.
Adding to the changes, Good Morning Britain has also physically relocated, moving to new premises at ITV's headquarters in central London, leaving behind its iconic base at the Television Centre in West London. Good Morning Britain continues to air on ITV1 weekdays at 6am and is available for streaming on ITVX.
