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EXCLUSIVE: Good Morning Britain journalist Noel Phillips is anticipated to depart the breakfast present after greater than 4 years amid sweeping redundancies throughout ITV‘s daytime manufacturers.
As the UK community shifts funding to streamer-friendly collection, ITV introduced in May that it was shedding round half of the 450 workers who work throughout ITV Studios-produced GMB, Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women.
Phillips is amongst these anticipated to depart, although the session course of stays ongoing. His anticipated exit has sparked concern internally about Good Morning Britain‘s on-air variety.
As a part of the modifications, sources raised questions in regards to the quantity of labor obtainable to freelance newsreaders Sean Fletcher and Marverine Cole, however ITV has now assured that there will likely be presenting alternatives for them subsequent yr. Fletcher has been a part of GMB’s line-up because the present launched in 2014.
ITV’s place is that GMB is dedicated to on-screen variety and that the job cuts won’t consequence within the present turning into dominated by white presenters. The present’s lead hosts embrace Susanna Reid and Ed Balls.
Phillips joined GMB from Comcast-owned Sky News in February 2021, and he has been central to protection of racial unrest within the U.S. and UK.
The Royal Television Society award-winning journalist was near gunfire in Minneapolis when reporting on the protests that adopted the deadly capturing of Daunte Wright by police officer Kim Potter.
Phillips spoke about struggling a racist assault in London in 2023, whereas extra not too long ago, he was hit by a rubber bullet throughout his reporting on the June protests in Los Angeles.
ITV is closing GMB‘s workplace within the U.S. because it strikes the present beneath the management of ITN, the unbiased manufacturing firm that makes ITV News.
From the beginning of subsequent yr, GMB will likely be produced by a devoted crew at ITV News and will likely be prolonged by half-hour throughout the weeks Lorraine is off air. GMB is anticipated to faucet into ITV News’ assets within the U.S., the place journalists comparable to Dan Rivers are stationed.
A supply acquainted with the modifications mentioned employees have been “pissed off” about Phillips’ exit. Another particular person mentioned there had been a temper change in TV amid the rise of populism, arguing that there’s “less pressure [on ITV] to be seen to be doing the right thing” on variety.
An ITV spokesperson mentioned: “In 2026, Good Morning Britain will continue to have the familiar line-up of presenters that we know viewers love. ITV is fully committed to our diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, and the representation on our shows will remain a priority.”
Deadline understands that Adil Ray will stay a part of GMB’s on-air crew, regardless of The Daily Mail reporting that he was going through the axe. Ranvir Singh may even proceed to look on the present.
Daniel Robinson was appointed as GMB’s new editor earlier this month. Having served as deputy editor for seven years, he succeeds Neil Thompson, who’s transferring into the position of commissioning editor, breakfast information.