Good Morning Britain Star Breaks Silence on Painful Struggle Behind ITV Show Absence
Good Morning Britain fans were thrilled to see Ed Balls back on their screens this Monday after he disappeared from the show for a week. The 58-year-old host took a moment at the start of the episode to explain why he’d been away. His co-host Susanna Reid was quick to point out his healthy glow, teasing: “Somebody got some warm weather over the weekend!”
Ed laughed and replied: “They did! It looks like I’ve been on some exotic beach.” But as The Mirror reported, he confessed the reality was a bit closer to home. “Actually, to be honest, it was the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Poole. I was on a sailing boat last week, and it was very sunny, it turned out. I think all the rays were reflecting off the water”, reported the Express.
Despite his best efforts with the suncream, Susanna jokingly pointed out he’d still come back looking bronzed, as noted by the Manchester Evening News.
Ed added: “I also played football on Saturday and I’m in immense pain, I can hardly move, having played this football match. So, sun-kissed but a bit stiff.” Later on, Susanna couldn’t resist bringing up one of Ed’s most famous — and most loved — slip-ups: the legendary ‘Ed Balls Day’.
Back on April 28, 2011, when he was shadow chancellor, Ed accidentally tweeted his own name instead of searching for it. That simple blunder sparked an annual Twitter tradition that’s still going strong.
Welcoming him back, Susanna grinned and said: “Before we crack on, let me just say, Happy Ed Balls Day!” Ed laughed and replied: “Oh my gosh, well, and happy GMB day.”
The GMB team was also celebrating another big milestone — 11 years of the show. Ed pointed out that ‘Ed Balls Day’ has now been around even longer than Good Morning Britain itself, adding an extra reason to smile.
Over on social media, fans didn’t miss the chance to join the fun. One Twitter user posted: “Happy Ed Balls day to all those who celebrate! Seems to come round quicker every year!”
Another joined in, tweeting: “Happy 15th Ed Balls Day to all who celebrate.” And another kept it simple: “Happy Ed Balls Day! Celebrate modestly.” It’s safe to say both Ed’s sun-kissed return and his iconic internet moment had viewers grinning this Monday morning.
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