Ed Balls temporarily left his presenting role on Good Morning Britain for the second time this week on Thursday to avoid interviewing his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. Co-host Susanna Reid conducted the interview alone via video link from Berkshire.
The move follows ITV's concession in August that Balls would not interview his spouse again after a backlash. During the interview, Balls remained off-camera and silent as Reid questioned Cooper on migration numbers and public trust in politicians.
This is the second time this week Balls has stepped back; on Wednesday, he said, 'As you know she's my wife, so I'll sit this one out.' In August, his on-air interview with Cooper drew thousands of complaints to Ofcom over perceived conflict of interest, though ITV's chief executive later said they would not repeat it.
Viewers on X expressed displeasure, with comments such as 'Do NOT have Yvette Cooper on while Ed Balls is on' and 'Love how they’ve cut Ed Balls totally off our screens. Awkward!!'
