RICHARD Madeley has backed Ranvir Singh to permanently replace Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain. The telly presenter, who was tipped to take Piers’s empty seat on the ITV breakfast show, has confirmed that he won’t be taking the job saying the “bookies favourites never win”. The 64-year-old host, who has been good pals with Piers for […]
RICHARD Madeley has backed Ranvir Singh to permanently replace Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain.
The telly presenter, who was tipped to take Piers’s empty seat on the ITV breakfast show, has confirmed that he won’t be taking the job saying the “bookies favourites never win”.
The 64-year-old host, who has been good pals with Piers for more than 30 years, has instead hinted at an all-female line up.
In his column for The Spectator, he wrote: “Meanwhile I got the kiss of death from Paddy Power last week: the bookmakers had me as favourite to take over from Piers on Good Morning Britain, so I can say ta-ta to that.
“The favourite never wins. When the race was on at Radio 2 to replace Jimmy Young, Nicky Campbell was heavily touted and that scuppered his chances.
“Same thing happened when he was in the running to host Newsnight. The eventual winner always comes from behind.
“TV bosses loathe being told by the bookies who they should pick.”
Richard hinted that GMB’s politics reporter Ranvir is the one to watch and praised her and Susanna Reid’s on-screen partnership.
He continued: “My money’s on an all-woman line up, with a nod to diversity.
“Ranvir Singh, riding high since her terrific outing on Strictly, made an impressive pairing with Susanna Reid the morning after Piers stormed off the set.“
Following Piers’ sudden departure this week, the rumour mill about who may take over his job has gone into overdrive.
Richard is among the contenders, with fans calling for him to be given the job.
The star, who hosted This Morning alongside his wife Judy Finnigan from 1998 to 2001, has previously covered for Piers on the ITV breakfast show.
One fan tweeted: “So where’s the petition to have Richard Madeley replace Piers Morgan?”
Another added: “Give it to Richard Madeley until the end of the season!”
Bookmakers Ladbrokes has even slashed the odds of Richard being given the job to 3/1.
Meanwhile, The Sun exclusively revealed how ITV wants to poach BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire to replace Piers.
Bosses are keen for the Beeb journalist to join GMB’s line-up.
Victoria’s Bafta-winning current affairs show on the BBC was axed in March 2021, though she continues to present the news.
Other names in the hat include lawyer and TV host Rob Rinder, GMB’s weather presenter Alex Beresford, host Ben Shephard and veteran morning TV host Eamonn Holmes.
Piers sensationally quit the show after after he received over 41,000 complaints to TV regulator Ofcom.
He said that he didn’t believe Meghan’s claims she’d suffered with her mental health and been suicidal.
He stormed off set during a huge row with co-star Alex after he criticised his reaction to Meghan’s comments.
He dramatically resigned after senior execs said they wanted him to say sorry on air following his heated clash with the show’s weather presenter.
But Piers said he was not willing to apologise, and walked – bringing an immediate end to his six-year stint on the morning show.
