Susanna Reid issued an apology moments before the end of Good Morning Britain on Monday, June 15. The presenter, joined by Ed Balls in the studio, addressed her words after causing outrage and being accused of “jealousy”.
Following the news that Scotland would be gaining a bank holiday on Monday, after making it to the World Cup, during the ITV daytime programme last week Susanna had sparked backlash for her comments. After Scotland’s 1-0 win against Haiti, Susanna admitted she had left fans “irate”, before introducing two to Good Morning Britain.
She said: “They’re irate with us because we teased Scotland about having a bank holiday today, celebrating their first World Cup victory in 36 years. Huge celebrations this weekend likely to continue. There is that extra bank holiday but of course not everyone in Scotland gets it.”
Ed continued: “And that’s a decision that one of our very own presenters might have called out outrageous, but according to one Scottish broadcaster, she is just jealous.” He then added: “When I say she is just jealous,” before pointing towards Susanna.
The programme showed two broadcasters’ social media clips fuming over Susanna’s comments, in which one, Nicolle Cassels, told Susanna: “I think you’re jealous… You enjoy working Monday Susanna, because I know you’re going to be there. I will not be there, because I’ll be here on my bank holiday.”
Susanna then addressed radio presenter Nicolle on live Good Morning Britain: “I’m so sorry Nicolle, we made you work today!” Nicolle quipped back: “Susanna I knew you were jealous, but I didn’t know you were jealous enough to bring me to work with you!”
“I’m so sorry,” Susanna replied, before chatting to journalist Gordon Smart, who had watched Scotland’s match live in the stadium in Boston, alongside the likes of Line of Duty’s Martin Compston. Talking about the atmosphere back at home in Scotland, Nicolle added: “The atmosphere everywhere has been amazing, we’ve got Scotland flags everywhere, I was at a concert last night, they had the bagpipes out at Murrayfield. We actually all sang the national anthem, I’ve never sang the national anthem at Murrayfield before, I feel like the whole country is absolutely buzzing, something I’ve never experienced before and it’s brilliant.”
As the segment came to a close with the end of the show, Gordon appeared to issue a dig at the presenters on Good Morning Britain. He laughed: “My Good Morning Britain career is kind of like Scotland’s career, I turn up every two years, do a good job and then disappear because the manager doesn’t like me.” “That feels like a dig!” Susanna laughed back, before addressing Nicolle: “I’m so sorry we’ve dragged you in.” Nicolle added: “Susanna I think you were quite wrong in what you said, I think you should maybe say sorry.”
Susanna replied: “My Scottish ancestors would be turning in their graves, I can only apologise. Let me say, it’s outrageous that not everyone in Scotland has got today off as a bank holiday.” Susanna and Ed had earlier been blasted for their comments, with Ed saying on Good Morning Britain last week: “This morning, in our five o’clock meeting, Susanna said, ‘I can’t believe this, the game’s on the Sunday morning, and they get bank holiday [more than] 24 hours later.’ I said, ‘What?’ I couldn’t believe it. It never occurred to me that that was going on.” Responding to viewers’ reactions, Susanna said: “It’s really outrageous. I mean, how long does it take Scots to get over the fact that they’ve played their first match?”
One viewer fumed: “So many Anti Scottish comments from your presenters and guests this morning. Disgusting behaviour. You do realise your show is shown on Scottish television? Unfortunately.” Another blasted: “Very condescending attitude from all the presenters taking part in that debate! Extremely anti Scottish. Not everyone is getting it and not everyone wants it. I don't even like football but thought your comments were uncalled for!!!” Yet another seething viewer said: “Not everyone is getting it. Jumping on the anti scotland bandwagon i see. Pathetic.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
