Good Morning Britain's Trisha Goddard makes history as first black woman to lead ITV show after 10 years

Trisha Goddard has made history as the first Black woman to lead Good Morning Britain after a decade of the ITV show being on the air.

The talk show legend, who recently shared a brave insight into her cancer diagnosis, made a much-anticipated comeback to morning television alongside Richard Madeley, stepping in for Kate Garraway.

While Black male presenters Sean Fletcher and Alex Beresford have previously helmed the show, no black woman has ever assumed the leading role in its 10-year stint.

Chair of the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts (RADA) Marcus Ryder believes such milestones should be "celebrated", noting that diversity on such programmes has influenced debates, including those surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

In conversation with the Mirror, he stated: "It should be noted that I am pretty sure Alex Beresford, as a Black man, played a pivotal role in discussions around the royal family.

"Around Prince Harry and Meghan and furthering that conversation on Good Morning Britain. You can see when you have Black presenters and Black people in positions of power they can change the shape of debate and change the discourse on important matters.

"Those positions can actually shape and form the prism by which the country often sees issues. It's so important."

Alex Beresford famously clashed with former presenter Piers Morgan as he defended the Duchess of Sussex, telling the 59-year-old that Meghan had 'cut him off' after their "short-lived friendship".

The discussion on the show became so tense that Piers Morgan left the set and subsequently declared he was parting ways with the programme.

Trisha has in the past expressed her views against the "relentless bullying of Prince Harry and Meghan", particularly during the time when they disclosed their daughter Lilibet's name.

Before returning to the show as a main presenter, Trisha commented on Good Morning Britain, saying: "They can't do anything right anyway."

She spoke about it being connected to a deeper issue of incessant harassment, explaining: "This is about pain and it's about continuous and relentless bullying."

Now taking on her new role, viewers of Good Morning Britain have been singing Trisha's praises, labelling her comeback "terrific". Marcus resonated with the sentiment, describing her return as "wonderful" and "significant" for youngsters like his son.

Beyond this, he emphasised the necessity for diversity not just on screen but behind the scenes too.

He said: "I think it's absolutely wonderful that Trisha has got the job, that's absolutely great. For somebody like my son, witnessing individuals in such roles is hugely important."

Trisha gained recognition from her own television show, Trisha, which brbroadcastrom 1998 to 2010. She triumphantly fought breast cancer after being diagnosed in 2008.

Earlier this year, she shared with the public that she was contending with secondary breast cancer, a non-curable condition, yet chose treatment aimed at extending her life.

GMB airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX from 6am.