TRICKERY? : ITV’s GMB fires presenter Noel Phillips – Backlash erupts amid internal diversity row!
Noel Phillips has been axed from Good Morning Britain (Image: ITV)
A Good Morning Britain star has been axed as part of sweeping redundancies across ITV. US correspondent Noel Phillips will no longer appear on the breakfast programme as ITV attempts to shave a further £15 million from its total budget. In May, ITV announced its plans to terminate the contracts of around half of the 450 employees who work across shows such as Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women. Although the consultation process into Phillips’ future remains ongoing, he is among those expected to leave. The presenter has appeared on Good Morning Britain since February 2021 after leaving Sky News.
His departure has sparked internal concerns about the show’s d1versity, according to Deadline. Sources reportedly raised concerns about the futures of Sean Fletcher and Marverine Cole, but ITV has confirmed they will remain on the programme. The Royal Television Society award-winning journalist has been central to the show’s coverage of racial unrest in the US and UK. Phillips revealed he was the victim of a racial attack in Central London, where he was “mugged, racially assaulted and spat on”.
Phillips joined Good Morning Britain (Image: ITV)
While reporting on the protests that stemmed after the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright, Phillips reported from Minneapolis where he was close to gunfire. Just last month, Phillips was hit with rubber bullets as he reported on the riots in Los Angeles.
A source claimed GMB staff members were “p****d off” about Phillips’ exit, while another claimed there is “less pressure [on ITV] to be seen to be doing the right thing” in terms of d1versity.
An ITV spokesperson told Deadline: “In 2026, Good Morning Britain will continue to have the familiar line-up of presenters that we know viewers love. ITV is fully committed to our d1versity, equity, and inclusion strategy, and the representation on our shows will remain a priority.”
The broadcaster announced there would be dramatic changes to their daytime TV schedule from 2026.
In the new year, Lorraine Kelly will lose her hour-long slot. Her self-titled programme will now air from 9.30am to 10am and will only be broadcast 30 weeks of the year.
During the 22 weeks Lorraine is off-air, Good Morning Britain will extend its run until 10am, adding an extra hour to its schedule.
As part of the shake-up, GMB will have its current 6am to 9am slot permanently extended until 9.30am. Production will also shift away from ITV Studios to ITN under a renewed five-year agreement.
While This Morning will still be broadcast from 10.30am to 12.30pm, Loose Women is being scaled back. The lunchtime panel show will now air seasonally for just 30 weeks a year.
