Richard Madeley reveals reason for Good Morning Britain absence
Richard Madeley returned to co-hosting duties on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday morning (19.11.25) following a bout of Covid, and told co-presenter Susanna Reid he was only "operating at 80 per cent" on Wednesday's show.
Richard Madeley returned to Good Morning Britain on Wednesday morning (19.11.25) following a bout of Covid.
The 69-year-old TV presenter admitted he is "OK again", but was only "operating at 80 per cent" on Wednesday's show.
At the beginning of the episode, Richard's co-host Susanna Reid said to him: "By the way, I haven't said welcome back - and how are you feeling?"
He replied: "I'm clear of it. I had Covid, as you know.
"The active stage has gone now and I'm okay again but it does leave you washed out."
"I feel like I'm operating at 80 per cent this morning, so I hope it doesn't show."
Susanna revealed on Monday's (17.11.25) episode that Richard was "a little bit poorly", and ITV News' UK Editor Paul Brand stepped in to front the programme alongside the regular host.
She told viewers: "Good morning Britain, it's just gone six o'clock. Welcome to the programme.
"Richard Madeley, due to be on air this morning, little bit poorly, so get well soon Richard watching from home, as Paul Brand takes your hot seat."
Paul joked he didn't know "what he was doing" on the programme.
He said: "Good morning, yes get well soon Richard and come and help me out because I don't know what I'm doing.
"I've never sat next to you [Susanna] before either, so fresh territory for me that’s for sure.
"You've been very nice to me this morning thank you, gave me a hug when you arrived, I already feel settled in.
"Not everyone gets a hug on this programme."
Richard became a household name for fronting This Morning in the 1990s alongside his wife Judy Finnigan.
And, more recently, he has racked up numerous appearances on GMB.
But he "doesn't feel like" a television star.
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine last year, he said: "I'm naturally curious as a person. People would define me as 'that bloke off the telly', a TV presenter, but I don't actually feel like that.
"I still feel like I did when I started. I'm a reporter. That's basically what I am, I started off on local newspapers, regional television as a reporter for 20 years and then Judy and I drifted into 'This Morning' and things softened a bit.
"Here, I'm still a hack and that's why I love doing 'GMB' because it's straight news. And I really enjoy working with the team that produces straight news, breaking stories and all that. I've never lost my enthusiasm for that."
