So Monday morning rolls around, you switch on ITV, and there’s no Richard Madeley. Again on Tuesday. Paul Brand’s sitting next to Susanna Reid instead, looking a bit lost.
Susanna told viewers on Monday that Richard was “a little bit poorly” and would be watching from home. That’s it. No other details. Two days later, still nothing.
People are asking if Richard Madeley is ill, and honestly, yeah, it seems like he’s got a bug or something. But ITV hasn’t said when he’ll be back. Richard said nothing on social media either. He’s just… off.
What Actually Happened
Monday at 6 am, Susanna explained that Richard was meant to be on air but couldn’t make it because he wasn’t feeling well. Paul Brand stepped in. Brand is the ITV News editor and won some awards earlier this year for political journalism. He’s been on GMB before, but never sat next to Susanna as the main co-host.
Brand admitted he didn’t know what he was doing and had never sat next to Reid before. Fair enough; getting called in last minute to present a massive breakfast show isn’t easy.
Tuesday came, and Brand posted on X that Susanna had “allowed him back” for another day. So Richard’s still not better, or he’s taking his time recovering. Nobody knows.
Has Richard Madeley Left GMB?
No. He’s just sick. The fact of the matter is that when someone doesn’t come to work for a few days, the gossip mill starts. People are asking if he’s been fired or has quit in some dramatic fashion.
But sometimes the boring explanation is all there is – the bloke’s ill, and he needs a few days off. Richard is 68. If he has a nasty bug, it may take him longer to recover from one than if he were younger. That’s just how it works. ITV haven’t made any announcement regarding his leaving the show.
If Richard was actually done with GMB, there’d be official statements, farewell shows, the works. Radio silence from everyone suggests he’ll be back when he’s better.
The Richard Madeley Good Morning Britain Story
Richard first joined as a stand-in presenter on GMB in 2017. He wasn’t a regular host; he filled in when the main hosts took time off. Yet over the years, he’s turned into one of the show’s regular faces and is frequently coupled with Susanna for weeks at a time.
Richard was half of Britain’s best-ever presenting duo before GMB. He fronted This Morning alongside Judy Finnigan from 1988 to 2001. That’s 13 years of daytime TV dominance. They literally owned that show.
They then decamped to Channel 4 for their own show, Richard & Judy, which ran up until 2008. Then they attempted to trial another show on Watch, but it bombed – viewing figures fell from 2.5 million on Channel 4 to around 11,000. Brutal.
These days Judy’s retired from presenting, whilst Richard keeps going. He does GMB, pops up on other shows, and has written some books. The man doesn’t seem to know how to stop working.
The Family Bit
Richard Madeley’s children, Jack and Chloe, are both grown up now. Jack was born in 1986, works in talent management, and is married to his wife, Issy. They’ve got a son called Kit who’s about seven now. Jack keeps his life private and doesn’t do the celebrity thing.
Chloe’s the opposite. Born in 1987, she’s a fitness trainer and TV personality with a massive Instagram following. She married rugby player James Haskell in 2018 and had a daughter with him, but they split in 2023. She shares loads about her fitness journey online.
Richard’s been married to Judy since 1986. Nearly 40 years together, which is properly impressive. They met at Granada TV in the early 80s when they were both married to other people. It was a bit messy at the time, but they made it work.
Judy’s also got two older sons from her first marriage. Richard became their stepdad. By all accounts, it’s a close family.
That Alan Partridge Thing
People keep saying Richard reminds them of Alan Partridge. You know, Steve Coogan’s bumbling radio presenter character? Richard finds it a bit unfair, but he can see the funny side.
Sometimes Richard says things that land awkwardly. Sometimes he comes across as a bit earnest. But that’s part of why people watch him. He’s not some polished robot reading autocue. He says what he thinks, and sometimes it goes well and sometimes it doesn’t.
At least people remember him. Better than being boring.
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This Morning Days
You can’t talk about Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain without mentioning This Morning. Richard and Judy co-hosted it for 13 years and became legends. The show ran for about two hours every weekday morning, first from Liverpool’s Albert Dock, then from London after 1996.
They did everything – celebrity interviews, cooking, phone-ins, household tips. People got so used to seeing them together that everyone just called it “Richard and Judy”, even though that wasn’t the show’s name.
One moment everyone remembers is Judy’s wardrobe malfunction at the 2000 National Television Awards when her dress exposed her bra. Richard joked, “If you vote for us next year, she’ll show you both of them!” Classic Richard, turning an awkward moment into a laugh.
After This Morning ended for them, the couple moved to Channel 4 in 2001. Their new show introduced the Richard & Judy Book Club, which became massively influential. If they picked your book, sales would skyrocket.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In February 2007, they had to apologise on air because of a phone-in quiz scam. Winners were being picked in the first ten minutes whilst callers were still being encouraged to ring in. Both insisted they didn’t know what was happening. Police got involved. Bit of a mess.
The show ended in August 2008 after seven years at Channel 4. They tried launching another show on Watch but it bombed spectacularly. Sometimes things just don’t work out.
What Happens Next
When will Richard be back? Who knows? ITV aren’t saying. Richard’s not saying. Paul Brand seems comfortable enough filling in for however long it takes.
The show needs Richard back, though. Brand’s doing fine, but there’s something about Richard’s presence that makes morning telly more watchable. Maybe it’s the unpredictability. Maybe it’s just that we’re used to him.
Richard’s had a long career. Started at BBC Radio Carlisle at 19, moved to Granada Reports in the early 80s, met Judy, and the rest is history. He’s presented quiz shows, chat shows, and morning shows. He even did I’m A Celebrity in 2021, though he had to leave early after a hospital visit.
At 68, taking a few sick days isn’t going to end his career. He’ll be back on that GMB sofa soon enough, probably with some story about what he got up to whilst he was off.
That’s the thing about British telly presenters – the good ones always come back. Richard’s definitely one of the good ones.
Get well soon, Richard. Mornings aren’t quite the same without you messing about with Susanna.