GOOD Morning Britain anchor Richard Madeley sparked fan concern after returning to the ITV series with a hugely painful injury.
The former This Morning frontman, 69, was back on-screen alongside Susanna Reid, 54, for Monday's episode, as Ed Balls took a break.
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Yet fans of the early-morning show were left worried after noting the broadcaster was wearing a huge cast on his right arm.
The white plaster support could be seen peeking out of Richard's smart black suit as he fronted Good Morning Britain from his regular spot on the desk.
Others also noted his voice sounded husky and "digitised" amid his injury woe, which he outlined at the top of the show.
Susanna said: "Richard you better explain," to which he replied: "I thought you were going to say did I have a good break!"
After the pair giggled, he continued: "It's a double fracture of the wrist.
"I was walking quite quickly down a steep pavement in France on Friday, and the pavement was loose.
"It flipped up and it flipped me forward and I thought am I going to win or will gravity win?
"And gravity won and I hit the ground hard.
"So yeah I've got a double fracture and we'll see how it goes."
After issuing a supportive "aww," Susanna then quizzed: Is it sore at the moment?"
Richard Madeley was facing GMB axe before crunch talks as another HUGE star ‘is set to leave ITV’ amid cuts bloodbath
The brave host said: "I'm not discussing the pain threshold we just don't think about pain."
One ITV viewer took to X to write: "Awww Madeley has an owie."
A second put: "Is Richard channeling his inner Keith lemon this morning with his bandage?"
The Sun has gone to GMB for comment.
Good Morning Britain presenters
Current presenters:
- Susanna Reid (presenters Monday to Wednesday and alternate Thursdays) - 2014 to present
- Kate Garraway (presenters alternate Thursdays and Fridays) - 2014 to present
- Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) - 2021 to present
- Richard Madeley (presents Monday to Thursday) - 2022 to present
- Ed Balls (presents on a rotating basis) - 2022 to present
- Adil Ray (presents on Fridays) - 2024 to present
- Robert Rinder (presents on a rotating basis) - 2024 to present
- Charlotte Hawkins (stand in and holiday cover presenter) 2014 to present
Former presenters:
- Ben Shephard (Thursdays and Fridays) - 2014 to 2024
- Sean Fletcher (Monday–Friday) - 2014
- John Stapleton (Wednesday) - 2014
- Piers Morgan (Monday to Wednesday) - 2015 to 2021
- Lorraine Kelly (Monday to Friday) - 2022
TOUGH TIME
The injury comes amid a rough time for Richard and a slew of ITV broadcasters.
There has recently been a huge shake up of the daytime TV offering at the channel.
We were first to report how veteran journalist Richard was facing the axe after crunch talks with telly bosses.
In May, sources say Richard was told his contract, worth a reported £300,000 a year, would not be renewed on current terms when it expires in December.
He hit back and negotiated a new deal with bosses — but it will mean a significant cut in his hours and pay.
A source said: “This one has really rocked the ITV corridors because Richard is such a big name and a legend of daytime telly.
"But, +it became apparent Richard had a meeting with the network’s most senior bosses and he’s now being kept on in a more part-time role.
“He’s got himself back on the show — but his hours are significantly cut.”
This comes as ITV bosses announced that Lorraine, shown on weekdays from 9am to 10am, would air on just 30 out of 52 weeks from next year.
Loose Women will also see a reduction of episodes in the brutal schedule shake-up, with GMB extended from a 9am finish to 9.30am.
Richard made an unexpected return to daytime telly in 2021 after Piers Morgan left GMB in a row over Harry and Meghan.
He had co-hosted ITV’s This Morning with wife Judy Finnigan for 13 years from 1988 to 2001.
They had been the golden couple of daytime telly and it was thought both were happy to enjoy retirement at their homes in London and Cornwall.
But Richard made a shock return to the screen as ITV bosses brought him in as a regular relief presenter on GMB with Susanna.
He quickly established himself as a popular face on the breakfast show, building up a warm rapport with his co-host.
TV SHAKE UP
Former MP Ed is set to be kept on, despite some viewers criticising the show for having a conflict of interest when he has been interviewing his former Labour political colleagues.
Ed, who became a presenter on the GMB rota in 2022, has been pulled out of the studio in recent months when there is an interview with his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, leaving Susanna to do it alone.