GOOD Morning Britain said goodbye to one of its regular stars today after she landed a huge new job.
Political commentator Jacqui Smith, who appears weekly with her sparring partner Iain Dale, appeared for a final time this morning.
Earlier this week she was appointed higher education minister by new prime minister Sir Kier Starmer, and she departs GMB to focus on her new role.
It was a fun farewell as she signed off by revealing she would be watching England‘s Euros final at home on Sunday night with her two sons and their friends and promised it was going to be a noisy affair.
GMB host Adil Ray wished her well and said he looked forward to grilling her when she inevitably returns as a guest to discuss government policy, putting up his hands and doing some shadow boxing.
Former Home Secretary Jacqui is no longer an MP, but like David Cameron in the previous government, will be made a life peer to allow her to take up the cabinet position.
She previously held the same education role when she served under Tony Blair in the late 90s.
Today Jacqui posted a behind the scenes selfie with Iain, with whom she hosts the political For The Many podcast, and lamented her final show with a teary-eyed emoji.
Viewers wished her will, with one commenting: “Good Morning, levelling up is what you deserve.”
Another said: “Good morning Jacqui i don’t always agree with your views but i respect your views and i for one will miss your points of view.”
A third posted: “Good luck Jacqui.”
Jacqui’s return to government surprised many as in 2009 she was forced to quit her cabinet position because of an expenses scandal.
She claimed £116,000 in second home allowances and had named a room at her sister’s house in London as her main residence.
There was further controversy when her husband at the time, Richard Timney, claimed for two adult films using public money.
Then in 2011, a year after losing her seat in Redditch, it also emerged that Jacqui had arranged two prisoners on day-release to paint a room in her house, when they were in fact supposed to be undertaking work to benefit the community.
She has had a successful media career ever since and even appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 with Anton du Beke when she was the first contestant to be eliminated.
