Susanna Reid's comments about Piers Morgan leaving Good Morning Britain were drafted by ITV, it's claimed.
On Wednesday morning's episode of the ITV show, Susanna had to address the news that Piers had quit GMB, with Ranvir Singh called in as a temporary replacement.
She said things would be "very different" from now on but the "show goes on, and so we go on".
The production meeting ahead of the episode had apparently been "sombre", and Susanna's comments were written to be as "neutral" as possible.
A source told The Sun : "Things were pretty tense, and the atmosphere quite bleak.
"Poor Susanna seemed quite shell-shocked but, professional to the end, was determined to keep things going.
"That statement was designed to be as neutral as possible, so as not to offend anyone else."
The Mirror has contacted ITV for comment.
Susanna had paid tribute to Piers' time on the show as she addressed him leaving.
She said on Wednesday: "A number of people will know the news and many of you will not and will be surprised that Piers Morgan is not here this morning.
"Now Piers and I have disagreed on many things, and that dynamic was one of the things that viewers loved about the programme.
"He is, without doubt, an outspoken, challenging, opinionated, disruptive broadcaster. He has many critics and he has many fans.
"You all know that I disagreed with him about Meghan's interview, he himself clarified his comments about her mental health on the show yesterday.
"There are many voices on GMB and everyone has their say. But now Piers has decided to leave the programme. Some of you may cheer and others will boo."
She continued: "He has been my presenting partner Monday to Wednesday for more than five years, and during Brexit and the pandemic and other issues, he has been a voice for many of you, and a voice that many of you have rallied against.
"But it is certainly going to be very different. But shows go on, and so on we go."
Good Morning Britain sparked over 40,000 OfCom complaints about Piers' comments about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's interview with Oprah Winfrey.
He had said he refused to believe anything she said, including her admission that she was suicidal during her time as a working member of the Royal Family.
ITV released a statement announcing Piers had quit GMB on Tuesday evening, saying: "Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain.
"ITV has accepted this decision and has nothing further to add."
Piers tweeted on Wednesday: "On Monday, I said I didn't believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview.
"I've had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don't. If you did, OK.
"Freedom of speech is a hill I'm happy to die on.
"Thanks for all the love, and hate. I'm off to spend more time with my opinions."
