Susanna Reid issued an apology to ITV viewers after a 'shocking' and graphic image of a botched cosmetic procedure was broadcast without warning on Good Morning Britain. The incident occurred during Wednesday's episode (July 8, 2026) as hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls discussed the upcoming heatwave and other headlines before interviewing The Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lauren Simon.
Apology After Gruesome Image Aired
When the image—showing Lauren's breast taped up with blackened skin and a sore, infected wound—appeared on screen, Susanna was visibly taken aback. She commented: 'I'm not sure if we can show that photograph, can we? That is absolutely gruesome.' After detailing Lauren's ordeal, Susanna added: 'Apologies if you found that very shocking, because I did! I didn't know that was coming.'
Lauren Simon's Life-Threatening Surgery in Turkey
Lauren travelled to Turkey for a breast reduction and nose job, trusting a clinic owned by a friend. She told Susanna and Ed that on the second day after surgery, her left breast began turning black. Despite assurances, she later discovered the severity of the damage. The surgery team spent 24 hours pricking her breast to keep it alive. She recalled: 'They wanted to send you home with a black nipple. You had two holes under your breast, pressing green liquid out. You were tired all the time, and you were very poorly.'
UK Doctor Saved Her Life
When Lauren consulted a doctor in Manchester, he found her left breast full of blood and said her body was fighting the surgery like a cancer. The UK surgeon who opened her up said he was shocked she was still alive. It took a year for her breast to heal, and she praised the British medical team for saving her life. Lauren urged viewers to get surgery done in the UK after her traumatic experience.
Rise in Cosmetic Tourism
The interview comes after a study by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons found that the NHS spends £1.8 million a year repairing botched procedures from so-called cosmetic tourism. Later in the show, when the image was set to be shown again, Susanna warned viewers: 'Brace yourselves as the picture you're about to see is a bit of a shocker.'
