A shock new contender is reportedly being lined up to be Piers Morgan's eventual replacement on Good Morning Britain - former This Morning presenter Richard Madeley.
Famous host Richard, who presented the long-running ITV daytime show with wife Judy Finnigan, is reportedly set to join the GMB line-up in June, with the option to extend the deal if the 'trial' goes well.
An insider told The Sun: "Pier is nigh-on impossible to replace and GMB execs accept this, but Richard has his own inimitable style.
“Like Piers, he’s a trained journalist who knows how to press guests and get a decent ‘line’ from interviewees.
“He shoots from the hip, says what he thinks, and is a genuinely brilliant, likeable chap off air — so it’s very much a 'watch this space'.”
News of Richard, 64, being tipped to replace Piers has massively divided opinion online, with some saying he's 'the next best thing,' with others hoping the rumours prove to be way off the mark.
One fan reacted: "Best man for the job," but a not so enthusiastic critic blasted: "If you replace piers with Richard Madeley then I will not be watching, how you can think that is a good call is beyond me. The guy is just awful."
Nearly two months have now passed since outspoken host Piers' explosive exit from GMB, with ITV confirming his departure in a brief statement, hours after he stormed out of the studio following an on-air spat with colleague Alex Beresford over Meghan Markle.
Since his exit, there hasn't been a permanent replacement for Piers. While 'consummate professional' Ben Shephard was widely reported to be show bosses' top choice, he has been missing in action in recent weeks due to filming starting up again on Tipping Point.
Others to have been given a stint in his vacant presenter's seat include the opinion dividing Adil Ray and Friday's host Sean Fletcher, who had impressed viewers calling for him to get a promotion after they dubbed him 'a class act.'
