Good Morning Britain plunged into crisis as Ed Balls ‘could be forced out of show’ after wife caught up in scandal – The Sun

GOOD Morning Britain was plunged into ‘crisis’ mode and Ed Balls could be forced out, after his wife became embroiled in ‘Taylorgate’.

The 57-year-old presenter has been absent from the flagship breakfast show and sources claim ITV staff are frantically holding secret meetings.

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According to MailOnline, the atmosphere has been tense in the ITV London studios as Ed’s wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, has been embroiled in ‘Taylorgate’.

A Good Morning Britain source alleged: “There are serious disagreements now about what to do for the best.

“It’s all a headache, he’s highly rated as a broadcaster but now he’s causing real problems.

“ITV is desperately trying to find a solution. The team really like Ed, but it has become a growing headache with allegations of bias ruining the show.”

The scandal unfolded after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met Taylor Swift and her mother at Wembley after the No 10 “pressured” the police to provide security for the VIP taxpayer superstar.

The Prime Minister accepted £2,600 worth of tickets for the final night of Swift’s music label Eras tour in London and introduced the multi-millionaire singer to his family.

It was revealed last week that Ms Cooper was involved in the controversial decision to allow the Eras Tour singer a reinforced police escort.

The Minister of the Interior also received four tickets to the concert, which she attended with Ed.

The Good Morning Britain host married Yvette Cooper in 1998 and they share three children together.

Although nothing has been confirmed, the GMB host – who usually accompanies Susana Reid – has not appeared on set.

And ITV bosses have been on high alert since this morning’s bombshell exit from Philip Schoefield and the subsequent fallout with Holly Willoughby, who also quit.

“EVERYTHING HAS BEEN VERY CRAZY”

Ed joined the Labor party when he was just 16 years old.

He served as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families under Tony Blair and then as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The GMB host sparked scathing criticism when he quizzed his wife on the show following the Southport stabbings, which saw three little girls tragically killed.

The horror was followed by serious unrest, with violent riots sweeping the UK.

One furious viewer wrote: “How did you allow Ed Balls to interview his own wife Yvette Cooper?!

“This isn’t journalism, this is cozy little chat between spouses. Bias doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

The interview prompted a whopping 16,000 complaints and GMB sources claim the show went into “crisis” mode.

The insider alleged: “It all went pretty crazy, the bosses all left together.”

They also claimed that ITV is “paranoid” about public reception and that bosses “were fuming”.

A source added: “There are strong opinions around ITV about this, how can things be fair and impartial if he does this?

“It’s not just about Yvette, it’s about other Labor MPs and an anti-Tory narrative. It’s an incredible decision to have Ed.”

His fellow GBM host Richard Madeley appears to be spending more time on air as the alleged crisis talks unfold.

However, Ed still appears to have the support of co-presenter Susanna Reid, who “is an absolute joy,” according to insiders.

In response to the fierce reaction after the interview of Ms. Cooper, ITV CEO Dame Carolyn McCall said it would not happen again.

Speaking at the Royal Television Society conference, McCall said: “It was a very, very complicated morning, a national emergency was almost called and so we had very little warning that the Home Secretary was coming in the program

“I was doing a whole round (of interviews), but it was unexpected, and we thought it was fair and unbiased.

“And indeed Ofcom has just ruled, but surprisingly nobody has noticed the fact that they are not pursuing these complaints, because they believe it is fair, balanced and impartial.

“So would we do it again? No. Was it unbiased, fair and balanced? And did they conduct themselves professionally? Yes.”

Ed took over from Piers Morgan when he sensationally quit the show in 2021 over the Meghan Markle allegations.

He refused to apologize for questioning that the Duchess’s mental health had been affected by her time in the royal family.

Sources said Ed has “shown himself” since acting as a temporary stand-in.

But her marriage to a politician is “a big problem” and “the concern is that it will all end in tears.”

Ed Balls’ team have been contacted for comment.

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