Good Morning Britain viewers call for Bill Turnbull to join show permanently as he reunites with Susanna Reid
Former BBC Breakfast co-presenters Bill Turnbull and Susanna Reid have reunited on Good Morning Britain - and viewers were thrilled to see them back on screens together.
Turnbull, 64, appeared on the BBC’s morning news show alongside Reid, 49, until 2014, when she left the broadcaster for ITV.
He is currently filling in for Piers Morgan while Reid’s usual presenting partner is on holiday and will present Good Morning Britain until Wednesday, marking his return to breakfast television after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
After the pair were introduced in a voiceover at the start of the show, Reid said: “Well I haven’t heard that for a number of years, Susanna Reid and Bill Turnbull!”
Turnbull said “Pinch me because I can’t believe this is really happening” before the pair shared a hug.
“And to be on the TV with the legendary Andi Peters,” he then quipped, gesturing to fellow panelist Peters, who said he was “thrilled” to meet Turnbull properly for the first time.
Alluding to Morgan’s absence, Reid suggested that her three days working with Turnbull would be “therapeutic” by contrast.
“We always joke about the fact that when Ben [Shephard] is in on a Thursday, it’s a therapeutic Thursday but now I’ve got therapeutic Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” she said.
“That’s very sweet of you but let’s see how you feel by the time you finish on Wednesday,” Turnbull replied.
Good Morning Britain viewers were delighted to see Turnbull and Reid working together again, with many praising the guest host as “a consummate professional” who was “calm and respectful” to interviewees.
The lovely Bill Turnbull as professional as ever, gently reigning it back in even when Susanna rudely interrupts him. A consummate professional, good to see him back...😊#gmb
— Fi ❄☃️❄⛄❄ (@Fibutton)
Well, I turned my TV on this morning to see former #BBCBreakfast duo of @susannareid100 & Bill Turnbull on #GMB of all things. What a please not to hear shouting & screaming! Interviewing in an artful & cleaver name. Like putting on my comfortable pair of slippers!!
— ianbrownuk♿️ (@IanBrownuk)
Great seeing Bill Turnbull on @GMB this morning. I’d forgotten how good he is at his job:)
— Kate Robbins (@KateRobbins)
Calm. Respectful. And not afraid to step in when someone's hateful comments are all targeted towards one person (Meghan). More of Bill Turnbull on our screens please. #GMB
— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez)
Nice to see the highly professional Bill Turnbull on this morning. Watch and learn, @piersmorgan! This is how it’s done!
— Fantom Ken (@FantomKen)
Others noted that he stepped in to defuse a debate about Meghan Markle to “keep the conversation on topic” and prevent it from becoming a “slating match.”
Shout out to Bill Turnbull for stopping what was turning into a Meghan Markle slating match and keeping the conversation on topic. He was not having any of Tom’s nonsense. #GMB pic.twitter.com/Hbbq3janib
— ℙ𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕪 𝕃𝕒𝔹𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖 𝔼𝕤𝕢🦚 (@petttylabelle)
Many shared their hopes that Turnbull would return or even become a permanent fixture on the show.
Please keep keep @piersmorgan on a permanent holiday, and keep Bill Turnbull forever. #GMB https://t.co/Dy9joooZA4
— Mandy McKeever (@MckeeverMandy)
@GMB
How nice to see Bill Turnbull on @GMB- no shouting, no ranting, letting his guests speak, not making it about him. Should be permanent....— Lou Lou 🏴 (@LisaMorgan4)
He's a keeper @gmb...More Bill Turnbull please.. #gmb This is so much better. .
— Gary Derrick (@garyderrick10)
I'm loving seeing Bill Turnbull presenting on @GMB I do hope he's going to become a regular.
— kirstie paulesu (@kirstiepaulesu)
@GMB loving the return of Bill Turnbull!! Brilliant as ever! Hope to see him guest present more often
— diane leek (@teachaveblue)
Awww #billturnbull on #GMB can he stay? 👏👏👏
— leep 🏴🏴🏴 (@XOXO73XO)
Come back forever please Bill Turnbull. Breakfast telly just has not been the same without you. @billtu 💙
— Rocksie 🦊🕊️🐾 #AHAB (@namaste66ahimsa)
Speaking ahead of his comeback, Turnbull said that he was “thrilled” to be reuniting with his former colleague - despite “having sworn never to do breakfast television again.”
Reid added: “It will be lovely to work alongside him again. I expect Bill presenting a breakfast show again will be like a duck taking to water - if the early alarm call isn’t too much of a shock.”
Turnbull previously appeared on the show as a guest in November to discuss his Channel 4 documentary Staying Alive, which followed him as he underwent cancer treatment.
He has also presented a weekly radio show on Classic FM since 2016.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV from 6am.
Read more
Susanna Reid invites Bill Turnbull to stand in Piers Morgan on GMB
Bill Turnbull urges cannabis law change after smoking for documentary
Bill Turnbull leaves Bake Off viewers in tears as he discusses cancer