For more than a decade, Susanna Reid has been the dependable, inquisitive and steadfast host of Good Morning Britain. Rising in the middle of the night to start work at 6am, she presents the show with a smile on her face and, of course, with absolutely perfect hair and make-up.
Alongside her have been a string of co-hosts - including the likes of Richard Madeley and Ed Balls. But perhaps her most famous double act was with Piers Morgan. He sensationally stepped away from the show in 2021 after a fallout related to comments he made about Meghan Markle. And while they are friends again now, Susanna, 55, admits it did take some time to get back to a good place.
“I’m lucky to call Piers Morgan a friend. We went through a rough patch when he left GMB – it was a turbulent time and a massive shock,” she said, speaking to woman&home for our special 100th anniversary edition.
“But we spoke very quickly afterwards because our friendship meant a lot to both of us and still does. We used to have the fiercest arguments on- and off-air, but they toughened me up, and made me a better journalist and presenter. I am grateful for that and for our ongoing friendship. Piers also throws the best Christmas parties!”
Think pink! Susanna celebrating 100 years of woman&home
Susanna joined the show in 2014 after a long stint hosting the BBC Breakfast show. And while she has been working in news for decades, she admits nothing is guaranteed any longer, mostly due to AI, and she is simply enjoying the work as best she can.
“We’re in challenging times with the advent of AI. I’m savouring every moment in television because who knows at what point I might be replaced by an AI version? We disappear into our own algorithms – people just want their own interests and it worries me,” she said.
“When you’re in news, current affairs and journalism like I am, you are appealing to a breakfast audience with a million different interests. You are keeping people’s spirits up with entertainment, but at the same time delivering difficult, challenging news about the economy and world events. If we have an AI version of super-highly tailored news, you would lose that sense of ‘I didn’t realise I wanted to know about that’ or ‘That didn’t occur to me’.”
In addition, there have been some difficult times at ITV in the last year, with budget cuts, studio moves and the loss of many behind-the-scenes staff. It is something Susanna is conscious of.
“Moving GMB to ITN was a big, dramatic change. The team was cut down, and who’s not going to feel sad about losing a chunk of staff?
Susanna admits she is worried about the future of television
“But people have found other fulfilling work and change is an opportunity – you have to lean into change and make it work. My generation’s time of life is a constant period of flux and change. We have ageing parents and growing children. We’re not stuck. We have to adapt all the time and be flexible,” she said.
“I don’t think beyond GMB. I won’t until the moment someone says, ‘Thanks very much. You can have a lie-in tomorrow!’ It’s very important to accept that you’re not going to work forever at a particular job. For whatever reason, things change. There will always be other things.”
But what other things might that be for Susanna? A podcast, it seems!
“Maybe one day I’ll have my own podcast – I’m a massive podcast fan.
“In my 50s, my ambition has changed. When you are young and starting out, you think about how you can get on as an individual, and when you get older, your role is to encourage the team.”
Wise words from one of the most inspirational women around!
You can read Susanna's full interview in the November centenary issue of woman&home magazine - on sale Thursday 25th September. Subscribe to the magazine for £6 for 6 issues.