Ed Balls Reveals Floral Apology After On-Air Head Kick Incident
In a candid new interview, Good Morning Britain presenter Ed Balls has disclosed that he purchased flowers for his co-host Susanna Reid following an unfortunate incident where he accidentally kicked her in the head during a live broadcast. The bizarre moment occurred in January 2024 during a segment discussing airplane etiquette, which featured specially installed airplane chairs on the set of the popular ITV daytime show.
The Unfortunate On-Air Collision
While debating whether it is ever appropriate to rest one's feet on the chair in front, Balls placed his feet on the headrest of Reid's seat, inadvertently making contact with the back of her head. "I think we've decided it's not OK," Reid responded immediately, clutching her head in discomfort. She humorously added, "I don't know if I can carry on doing the programme, I'm seeing stars!" The incident quickly became a running joke for the remainder of that episode, with one viewer even emailing the show to suggest Reid sue Balls for damages.
Aftermath and Reconciliation
In their recent interview with The Telegraph, Reid recalled feeling "cross" at the time, while Balls admitted he had "never sent flowers to a work colleague before" but deemed it an appropriate gesture given the circumstances. Reid assured there was "no lasting damage," though she noted her "eyesight did go blurry for about 20 minutes" following the impact. The pair have since moved past the incident, with Reid confirming they remain good friends. "I know for a fact he still watches the show because he will text when we're on air," she revealed.
Context and Broader Show Dynamics
Balls became a permanent co-host on Good Morning Britain in January 2024, after serving as a regular guest host since 2021. His role has occasionally faced scrutiny due to his political background as a former Labour MP and Shadow Chancellor, and his marriage to Labour foreign secretary Yvette Cooper. To maintain impartiality, Balls typically sits out interviews when Cooper appears as a guest on the show. This incident adds to the programme's history of memorable moments, including Piers Morgan's dramatic exit in 2021 after a heated discussion about Meghan Markle.
The show also experienced a brief disruption in March 2024 when a fire alarm forced it off air 20 minutes early. Despite these occasional hiccups, Good Morning Britain continues to be a staple of British morning television, blending news, debate, and lighthearted segments like the plane etiquette discussion that led to this unforgettable head-kick episode.
