GOOD Morning Britain fans were left on the back foot after tuning in to see one presenter make their shock comeback.
Viewers of the ITV daytime show confessed they “weren’t expecting” the straight-talking star’s return as he fronted Thursday’s episode alongside Susanna Reid, 53.
Adil Ray, 50, has often acted as a Good Morning Britain stand-in anchor during holiday periods and on Fridays, following former ITV favourite Ben Shephard‘s departure from the early morning series.
He was regularly seen presenting with Kate Garraway, 56, in the final episode of the week.
Yet after he took a two-week break back in April – and was replaced by Rob Rinder – the Citizen Khan star hasn’t been seen on GMB much at all.
Now Adil appears to again be getting comfortable in the presenting hot seat.
He joined forces with Susanna to present the headlines of the day, including the hunt for teenager Jay Slater who has gone missing in Tenerife.
Fans tuning in when the show started at 6am were left taken aback, with one writing: “Adil Ray? Ffs, wasn’t expecting that.”
Another referenced the show line-up and put: “Jonathan gets a freebie to Tenerife, Laura gets a freebie to Ascot and Susanna says ‘good morning’ to Adil. I’m out!”
A third then referred to the pair’s interview with the Hardest Geezer and celebrated: “Great to see Adil back @adilray I’ll run a mile with you.”
Regular GMB Thursday host Ed Balls yesterday announced he would be absent from the show for “weeks.”
it came after a hectic episode for Ed on Wednesday, where he left Susanna gobsmacked when he swatted a fly live on air.
After the antics, in a message on Instagram, the former Labour shadow chancellor wrote: “That’s me done for a week or so, handing over to Adil and Rob.
“I’m back for the final General Election week – see you soon.”
We previously told how Ed will lead the GMB coverage on Friday, July 5, as the UK General Election results start to roll in.
He will front an extended show with Susanna – meaning Lorraine will be scrapped.
Adil became a regular face on GMB earlier in the year straight after Ben’s departure for This Morning.
In a message on X at the time, he wrote: “Back with you from April 12 peeps, and for quite a few Fridays until September.”
He added: “FriRays they’re all calling it.
“Well one person did. That’ll do.”
This suggests Adil will be appearing on the show much more through the summer months.
