Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid presented Monday’s show (Image: ITV)
Richard Madeley “walked off” in a “huff” this morning while co-hosting alongside . It comes as viewers at home “demanded” that the 68-year-old presenter get rid of him bum fluff on his chin.
Susanna teased her friend and co-star as she said: “We’ve had breaking news this morning, on the beard. Ben Shepherd, who knows well what our editor thinks of emergent growth.
“‘Definitely get Richard to keep the beard,’ he text me this morning. ‘I still miss mine’.”
Richard pointed out: “But you’re off the show now mate, you don’t have to face the editor.” Susanna joked: “His was that bad that he had to move programmes!”
Her co-star continued: “I’m in stubble trouble, I think you could say.” They then went on to show a viewer poll where 66% of voters thought that Madeley should shave off his stubble.
Richard was ‘forced’ to have a shave live on air (Image: ITV)
He said that he thought his beard might have “developed” but he would “take it like a man”. The ITV star then asked: “Shall I go?” before standing up from his chair and walking around the back of Susanna and straight off set.
His co-star said: “I’m afraid you are defeated Richard,” as she explained that crew behind scenes had a can of shaving foam and a razor waiting for him.
The show then cut to Richard in a dressing room, shaver in hand and a towel around his neck as he prepared to unveil a new look after the break.
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When the ITV programme returned, Richard was still not back at his post next to Susanna. She quizzed him, while he was still in the backrooms, asking: “How far have you got? Do you want to come back into the studio and carry on doing your job?”
He replied, still with razor in hand, saying: “I’ll be there in a minute, don’t worry.”
Eventually the presenter returned to his normal place, as he went on a mini rant about his thoughts on being “forced” to have a shave. He said: “You can’t put it out there and ask people what they want you to do when you’re a guest in their homes at breakfast times.”
He admitted: “I didn’t even notice, she’s not said a word seriously.”