GMB's Sean Fletcher claims Richard Madeley's tan is 'darker than his skin'

Richard Madeley wasn't presenting Good Morning Britain today - but that didn't stop him being mocked by his colleagues.

The stand-in GMB host sent social media into meltdown on Wednesday with his dark orange skin .

Richard, who had been in the South of France for two weeks, admitted it was "a bit pumpkin-like" as he apologised to viewers.

Co-star Sean Fletcher, who was sat next to Richard, said: "Before the programme he wasn't as dark but it seemed to grow. He was darker than me."

"Someone tweeted 'when you put fake tan on and you look darker than the black guy next to you there's an issue'. "

Sean Fletcher joked that Richard was darker than him (Internet Unknown)

Sean Fletcher, Adil Ray and Ranvir Singh mocked Richard's look (Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

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Adil Ray joked: "I thought a member of my family was presenting the show yesterday in fact."

Putting on a strong accent, he added: "Uncle Richard."

Adil joked that he feared he would lose his place on the panel if Richard stayed that dark.

He said: "I know its a meritocracy and I’m here for my presenting skills. But part of me always thinks I'm here for diversity and they want more brown faces on the telly and Richard Madeley trumped me to it yesterday. I was like ‘well what am I supposed to do?'"

Richard admitted he looked a 'bit pumpkin-like' (Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

Richard's tan was the talk of the town (Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

Adil then turned round and picked up a fake tan bottle from behind him.

"I always leave a bottle in my dressing room. It's a fake tan bottle," he said.

"Look Pakistani in two-and-a-half hours. That's what I've got."

Richard looked very dark compared to Charlotte (Ken McKay/ITV/REX)

It didn't take Good Morning Britain long to pick up on it on social media.

"Has # RichardMadeley had a fight with a bottle of fake tan & let it win?!," wrote one fan after spotting his new look.

While another added: "# gmb somewhere in a land far away, willy wonka is searching the factory for an escaped oompah loompa # richardmadeley".

"#GMB Richard Madeley with his quiff & (fake) tan is starting to look like Donald Trump!," one wrote.

Another chipped in: "Oh my god! what colour of mahogany is # richardmadley he could be Donald trumps love child! # gmb".

*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on 6am

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