Richard Madeley has ruled out taking on a bigger role on Good Morning Britain, saying he has "no ambition left" as he opened up about his on-screen future. The 70-year-old broadcaster, who has spent 50 years in the industry, began his career in radio before moving to daytime television.
No ambition for a Piers Morgan-style role
Speaking on Vanessa Feltz's At Home with Vanessa podcast, Madeley was asked if he still had career ambitions. He admitted he has no major goals left but said he would jump at the chance to host a show like Strictly Come Dancing.
"They're never going to ask me to do that," he said, adding: "But if they did, of course I would because it would be a hoot, it's like going to a party every week." He continued: "No, I don't have any ambition left at all. I feel like my career arc is behind me."
Happy with flexible GMB schedule
Detailing his varied shift pattern on Good Morning Britain, he said he enjoys the flexibility and doesn't want to be tied to the show full-time. "That's plenty," he said. "If they approached me and asked, 'Would you do it on the same level Piers Morgan used to do it?' I would respond, 'No I can't'."
Having a varied schedule, he explained, allows him to work on other projects such as his recent Channel 5 documentary about El Salvador's mega-prison. "I do just enough for me to keep my toe in the water but no, I don't have ambition. I'm not aiming to hit targets or establish a reputation because whatever my reputation is, it's established," he added.
Reflecting on This Morning days
Previously reflecting on his stint on This Morning, which he presented with his wife Judy Finnigan from 1988 to 2001, Madeley spoke in their Channel 5 documentary Richard & Judy: Our Best Bits - In Our Own Words. He said the schedule was "very demanding" but had benefits, such as time to discuss the show and resolve arguments.
He revealed: "I know it was very demanding with the drive from Manchester to Liverpool and back again, particularly the first thing in the morning was often a bit trying, but it had its upside, you know, because it meant that we could talk about the show together in privacy driving over."
"We could analyse the show going home and if, as married couples do, we had a blazing row that morning as we left the house and it carried on in the car and we're screaming blue murder at each other, you got it all out in the car."
