Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid was compelled to issue an on-air apology and temporarily halt a deeply emotional interview on Monday's programme after a technical failure disrupted the poignant conversation.
Interview halted by sound failure
Susanna Reid and her co-presenter Paul Brand were speaking with Caroline Willgoose, a mother whose son, Harvey Willgoose, tragically lost his life following a stabbing at his school in February. The interview, conducted via video link from Sheffield, took a distressing turn when Reid's heartfelt question about coping with the approach of Christmas and Harvey's birthday was met with silence.
After waiting a few moments, a concerned Susanna Reid addressed the issue directly, saying, "Oh, I'm so sorry Caroline. I wonder if we can just double check if you can hear us? Caroline, can you hear us here in the studio or do we need to fix the communications?" With no response forthcoming, the presenter had no choice but to pause the interview and adjust the running order of the live show.
The vital campaign for bleed kits
The programme swiftly moved to a pre-arranged segment with a doctor in the studio, focusing on the critical importance of bleed kits – the very life-saving equipment Caroline is campaigning to have installed in every school.
Doctor Emeka provided a live demonstration, explaining the contents of a bleed kit and detailing how each item is used to prevent catastrophic blood loss. He emphasised that these kits are not only vital for stab wounds but are also essential in other emergencies involving severe blood loss, such as car accidents.
Emotional return and a mother's mission
Later in the broadcast, the show successfully reconnected with Caroline Willgoose. Susanna Reid immediately offered a sincere apology for the earlier technical problems, stating, "I'm sorry that we couldn't get the sound working where you are." She then guided the conversation back to the campaign for bleed kits in schools.
Caroline bravely confessed that even if such a kit had been available, it might not have saved her son Harvey. However, she stated with conviction, "In this day and age there should be one in every single school, so that's what we are going to do."
When Paul Brand asked how she was coping with her son's upcoming birthday and Christmas, Caroline responded, "Not good. Not good at all, but just keeping busy. We are going to make schools safer and that's what's pushing me through." The segment concluded with a visibly emotional Susanna Reid sending "lots and lots of love" to Caroline and praising the importance of her campaign.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
