GMB fans were left up in arms after a news correspondent reported live as illegal immigrants set off to cross the English Channel in a small boat.
Good Morning Britain sparked fury amongst its viewers after a news correspondent reported live from Northern France as immigrants made the perilous journey across the English Channel. During Thursday’s visit (July 10) to ITV studios, hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley woke up the nation with the biggest stories hitting the headlines.
This included the deadly new Russian drone attack in Kyiv and the new developments in the small boats which has come out of the UK-France summit between Sir Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron. Minutes into the show, the presenters welcomed their colleague Nick Dixon onto the programme where he gave fans an insight into what it was like to see immigrants pack up their belongings before making the illegal journey to British shores. Susanna wasted no time in quizzing the reporter about what happened on the French beach Gravelines.
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He revealed: “This was about 55 minutes or so ago just five minuted further along the beach here. We had a pretty good idea that there would be some activity becuase we were with migrants yesterday and they were very matter-of-fact abouteither leaving last night or this morning, they made that very clear.
“The sea condition had been much better because it’s been pretty rough and choppy the last few days but we knew at least some of them would have a chance, and that is exactly what happened. The boat sailed out about 75 yards from the shoreline, there were perhaps maybe 30 to 40 people on board waving as they passed.”
It didn’t take long before fans flooded to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their frustrations online. One user penned: “It can’t be stopped. Nobody can stop refugees getting boats and travelling to Britain. Even Reform doesn’t have solutions.”
Another fumed: “The absolute lack of action is driving the British public insane. For the love of God – put the navy in the channel and force these people back.”
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It was just after sunrise when Good Morning Britain’s cameras cut live to a windswept beach in Northern France, and what viewers saw left many of them reeling. There, in the grey dawn, a small group of migrants could be seen quietly gathering their scant belongings, preparing to risk everything on a perilous journey across the English Channel. ITV correspondent Nick Dixon was on the scene, his voice barely rising above the sound of the waves as he described the tense, surreal atmosphere. He explained that only fifty-five minutes earlier, just a short walk along the sand, he had witnessed a group of 30 to 40 people—men, women, and children—clambering into a small, inflatable boat. As they pushed off, some even waved back at the shore, their faces a mix of hope and fear, as they began the dangerous crossing towards Britain.
Back in the studio, hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley listened intently, clearly moved by the scenes unfolding live on their programme. Susanna, never one to shy away from the tough questions, pressed Nick for every detail: What was the mood on the beach? How did the migrants react? Was there any sign of French authorities? Nick explained that the sea, which had been rough and uninviting for days, had finally calmed, giving the group a window of opportunity. He added that the previous day, he had spoken to some of the migrants, who were matter-of-fact about their intentions—some would leave that night, others in the morning. There was a sense of grim determination, a feeling that nothing would stop them from making the crossing.
But if the live report was meant to offer a window into the realities of the Channel crisis, it also sparked a firestorm of anger among viewers. Within minutes, social media was ablaze. On X, formerly known as Twitter, the reaction was swift and furious. “It can’t be stopped. Nobody can stop refugees getting boats and travelling to Britain. Even Reform doesn’t have solutions,” wrote one frustrated user, their resignation clear. Another was even more direct: “The absolute lack of action is driving the British public insane. For the love of God – put the navy in the channel and force these people back.” The frustration was palpable, the sense of helplessness almost overwhelming.
It’s a debate that has raged for years, but never seems to find a resolution. The government talks tough, promising new measures and stricter controls; opposition parties criticise from the sidelines, offering their own ideas. Yet, as dawn breaks over the Channel, the boats keep coming. Each one carries a cargo of human dreams and desperation, each crossing a potential tragedy waiting to happen. The sight of those small boats, so fragile against the vastness of the sea, is now a familiar one, but it never loses its power to shock.
The timing of the report was no coincidence. Just hours earlier, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had met with French President Emmanuel Macron, with the Channel crisis high on the agenda. Both leaders promised closer cooperation, more resources, and new strategies. But for many watching at home, those promises rang hollow as they watched yet another boat slip out to sea. The sense that nothing ever really changes—that the authorities are always one step behind—was hard to shake.
Viewers’ anger was not just directed at politicians, but at the system itself. Some demanded tougher border controls, others called for more compassion. There were those who pointed out that many of the migrants are fleeing war, persecution, and poverty, their only hope of a better life resting on a flimsy rubber raft and a prayer. Others, however, saw only chaos and failure, a country unable to control its own borders, its leaders powerless in the face of relentless human movement.
In the studio, Susanna and Richard did their best to steer the conversation, acknowledging the complexity of the issue. They spoke of the dangers faced by the migrants, the risks of drowning or exploitation, but also of the strain on British communities and the growing sense of frustration among the public. It was a delicate balancing act, trying to give voice to all sides of a debate that has become one of the most polarising in modern Britain.
For Nick Dixon, standing on that French beach, the reality was stark. He described the scene in simple, unvarnished terms: families huddled together, children clutching toys, adults scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. There was no drama, no shouting or panic—just a quiet determination to keep moving forward. “They made it very clear,” he said, “either they would leave last night or this morning.” For them, the Channel was not a barrier, but a final hurdle in a journey that had already taken them thousands of miles.
As the broadcast continued, viewers were reminded that this was not just a news story, but a human drama playing out in real time. The images were raw and immediate, the emotions close to the surface. For some, there was sympathy and sorrow; for others, only anger and frustration. But for everyone watching, there was a sense that something fundamental was at stake—a question about who we are as a country, and what kind of future we want to build.
The story is far from over. As the boats keep coming, the debate will rage on, in Parliament, in the press, and in homes across the country. Politicians will make their promises, campaigners will argue their cases, and journalists like Nick Dixon will keep bearing witness. But for now, all that remains is the image of that small boat, slipping quietly out to sea, its passengers waving farewell to the only shore they have known for months—hoping, against the odds, that Britain will be the place where their journey finally ends.
This is a live and developing story. As the situation unfolds, the Express Showbiz team will continue to bring updates and reactions from across the country. For now, though, the debate continues—online, on air, and in the hearts of viewers everywhere
