Richard Madeley: Good Morning Britain presenter starts the year with a bang and faces massive criticism

Richard Madeley joined Good Morning Britain in 2017 and since then, the presenter has been collecting controversial incidents. At the beginning of December 2023, as calls for his removal from the show were loud and adamant, his co-host Susanna Reid had to step in his defence.

In an interview with The Sun, Reid had to explain his interview style.

If they don’t want to answer the questions, he’ll end the interview – he did that with Gavin Williamson when he was defence secretary.

Adding,

Richard is a bit bolder sometimes with his wording, but I think a lot of viewers wonder why other people get offended by what he’s said.

Though these words of support were very kind coming from Reid, Madeley has managed to get in double trouble in the span of a few days.

‘You’ve put on weight’

This incident took place on 2 January 2024, live on TV. In a stunning moment Richard Madeley decided to comment on Laura Tobin’s weight.

In the baffling clip Richard Madeley says:

You’ve put on a lot of weight with the lack of exercise, haven’t you?... joke

Following this, Susanna Reid tried once again to save the day by pitching in:

Well you wouldn't be the only one, Laura, because I ate for Britain.

Tobin seemed taken aback by the archaic remark, remained diplomatic, and said:

Thanks Richard

I’m just going to take a long waddle across the studio later, Richard.

As expected viewers were left outraged by Madeley’s words. On TikTok where the clip is doing the rounds comments read as such:

outrageous

can't stand him get rid of him

How is he still on telly? Absolute irritant!

Richard Madeley disrespects junior doctors amid strike

Then, on 3 January, Madeley managed to enrage viewers once more. This time it wasn’t over his sexist comments but his lack of knowledge.

In a segment which targeted the unprecedented six-day-long NHS strike in which junior doctors are asking for a 35% rise, Madeley chose to call junior doctors 'apprentices’.

However, as many viewers commented, junior doctors aren’t apprentices. They are ‘qualified doctors in clinical training’.

The British Medical Association explains:

(Junior doctors) have completed a medical degree and can have up to nine years' of working experience as a hospital doctor, depending on their specialty, or up to five years working and gaining experience to become a general practitioner (GP).

Once more, viewers were left aghast. One said:

Richard Madeley calls doctors apprentices, how much longer do we have to keep watching this apprentice presenter. #GMB

And another added:

Richard Madeley is an embarrassment - calling junior doctors apprentices. #gmb get rid

Read more:

⋙ Judy Finnigan: Why did she stop presenting with husband Richard Madeley?

⋙ Dan Wootton hints at what’s next in 2024 as his £1.8 million house is reportedly for sale

⋙ Susanna Reid: The real reason why she is 'having a break' from Good Morning Britain

Sources:

The Sun: Susanna Reid on her new bob, relishing those early starts and why gaffe-prone Richard Madeley doesn’t deserve the sack

The Sun: Good Morning Britain fans outraged as Richard Madeley tells Laura Tobin ‘you’ve put on weight’ live on air

Express: Good Morning Britain fans demand ITV 'educates' Richard Madeley after NHS blunder

The British Medical Association