Prince Andrew (Image: Getty)

A furious row erupted on Good Morning Britain over whether King Charles should publicly denounce Prince Andrew. Ed Balls and Charlotte Hawkins were joined in the studio by former royal correspondent Simon McCoy, who is in favour of the king denouncing Andrew, and royal biographer Robert Hardman, who believes the royals should not have to respond.

Their appearance on the programme comes after King Charles was heckled during a visit to Lichfield Cathedral on Monday. A man questioned the king about Prince Andrew’s association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and whether he had asked the police to “cover up” for his brother.

Former BBC newsreader McCoy, 64, said the British public feel they are being treated “like fools” and claimed Prince Andrew is “doing nothing” to support the victims of sex trafficking.

He continued: “Prince Andrew paid 12 million pounds to Virginia Giuffre. We don’t know what for – a woman he says he never met. The story does not work, and the monarchy is facing an existential crisis unless the king does something.”

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Ed Balls is married to Labour politician Yvette Cooper. (Image: ITV)

I watched Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain and honestly, I’m still stunned. The segment on the government’s asylum accommodation disaster and the botched release of a convicted prisoner was already uncomfortable viewing but with Ed Balls front and centre, it became downright infuriating.

Balls had clashed with Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf during a September debate on migrant policy, with some viewers calling his questioning aggressive and biased. Some also accused him of acting as though he were “speaking on his wife’s behalf” and that’s where this whole situation starts to look like a conflict of interest. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: Ed Balls’ wife, Yvette Cooper, is the Home Secretary. So when he sits there on live television, attacking or defending Home Office policy, it doesn’t matter which side of the argument he’s on, the optics are terrible.

Ed Balls has faced constant scrutiny for his role on GMB (Image: Getty)

You can’t present yourself as an impartial journalist when your other half literally runs the department you’re talking about.

On Monday, MPs on the Home Affairs Committee had just published a damning report, calling the government’s asylum housing programme “rushed and chaotic” and claiming billions had been wasted. The same morning, GMB discussed the shocking case of Hadush Kebatu a convicted sex offender who had previously sought asylum and was mistakenly released from prison.

These are serious issues that deserve careful, balanced debate. But instead of a calm discussion, Balls’ commentary felt smug, self-satisfied, and politically tone-deaf.

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Social media clearly agreed as X lit up with viewers questioning why Balls was allowed to take such an active role in government-related discussions, when his own household is directly tied to the people responsible.

This isn’t about party politics. It’s about credibility. You can’t grill ministers on live TV while your partner is one of them. It’s a basic issue of trust and GMB should know better.

Breakfast TV thrives on lively debate and honest journalism. But when the lines blur between newsroom and Cabinet table, the audience loses faith.  If ITV wants to keep Good Morning Britain credible, it’s time to make a tough call. Ed Balls might be entertaining, but his position is no longer tenable. For the sake of journalistic integrity and public trust he needs to go.