Richard Madeley was absent from Good Morning Britain earlier this week due to a health issues.

Richard Madeley sparked concerns for his health (Image: ITV)

Presenter Richard Madeley returned to work on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday after taking a couple of days off due to illness. However, on Thursday’s episode of the ITV breakfast show, fans spotted that the 69-year-old TV host may still be feeling under the weather, becoming concerned not only for Richard but also for his co-stars.

Richard confessed that he is “OK again”, but was merely “operating at 80 per cent” during Wednesday’s broadcast. At the start of the programme, Richard’s co-host Susanna Reid asked him: “By the way, I haven’t said welcome back – and how are you feeling?”. He responded, clarifying what was making him ill, as he said: “I’m clear of it. I had Covid, as you know. The active stage has gone now and I’m okay again but it does leave you washed out. I feel like I’m operating at 80 per cent this morning, so I hope it doesn’t show.” Despite Richard insisting that he feels well now, fans have noticed that he kept on coughing during Thursday’s episode.

Richard assured viewers that he was feeling much better (Image: Getty)

They also shared their worries for his co-star’s as they noted that Covid can be contracted by other people around him.

Posting to X/Twitter, one fan wrote: “@GMB Should Richard be at work coughing around the studio? Especially when he’s mentioned it being COVID.

“Non-viral or not, I can’t imagine how Kate feels, especially after the loss of her husband Derek, but should anyone be put in that position, surely precautions should be in place.”

Another added: “Talking about Covid while Madeley is still coughing and spluttering in the studio with other people after ‘having Covid over the weekend’. People still aren’t taking it seriously #gmb.”

While a third echoed: “FFS Richard, cover your microphone if you’re coughing and spluttering everywhere. We don’t want to see or hear it!! He shouldn’t even be allowed on air, coughing all over the place like that. #GMB.”

On Monday morning, Susanna Reid announced her co-star’s absence as Paul Brand stepped in to fill his shoes.

She informed viewers: “Good morning, Britain, it’s just gone six o’clock. Welcome to the programme. Richard Madeley, due to be on air this morning, is a little bit poorly, so get well soon, Richard, watching from home, as Paul Brand takes your hot seat.”

Paul quipped he didn’t know “what he was doing” on the show. He remarked: “Good morning, yes, get well soon Richard and come and help me out because I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never sat next to you [Susanna] before either, so fresh territory for me that’s for sure.

“You’ve been very nice to me this morning thank you, gave me a hug when you arrived, I already feel settled in. Not everyone gets a hug on this programme.”