Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley Spark Outrage Among Fans with Controversial Move on GMB
Fans of Good Morning Britain had a common complaint during Tuesday’s episode (November 5) as co-hosts Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway frequently spoke over each other while discussing the day’s major stories. The pair filled in for Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, who were covering the U.S. election from Washington, DC.
Among the headline topics was the inquiry into delays in compensation for sub-postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal—a case widely regarded as the UK’s largest miscarriage of justice. More than 900 sub-postmasters were falsely accused of theft and fraud due to faulty information from the Horizon computer system, leading to wrongful prosecutions, prison sentences, and severe financial hardship.
One guest on the program, former sub-postmaster Janet Skinner, shared her story of enduring a nine-month prison sentence, of which she served three months, due to an alleged shortfall of £59,000 at a Hull post office—a charge that was ultimately proven false. Since then, Janet has struggled to rebuild her life, selling her home and moving into a private rental property, while still awaiting adequate compensation nearly two decades later, told Daily Express.
As Richard, 68, and Kate, 57, spoke with Janet, viewers took to social media to express frustration over the hosts’ frequent interruptions. “Stop talking over each other!” one viewer tweeted, while another added, “Bloody hell Richard, stop talking over Kate.” A third chimed in, “Richard and Kate talking over each other all the time,” and a fourth remarked, “Do these two ever stop interrupting each other?”
During the interview, Janet revealed that her ordeal continues to affect her life profoundly. “I’d like to be able to buy a house and start living my life instead of having to fight continuously,” she shared. Janet also called out the government, saying, “The government is the shareholders of the post office. It is their responsibility. So having this inquiry on top of another inquiry is the issue that they’re creating.”
Despite receiving a stopgap payment of £163,000 in 2022, Janet is still awaiting further compensation. She expressed frustration over the extensive documentation and medical records the government now requires to process additional compensation claims. “They’re trying to push people so far with documentation and requirements of medical reports—there’s some information you just can’t get your hands on,” she said.
Janet’s story sheds light on the long-lasting impact of the Horizon scandal, which left innocent people financially and emotionally devastated. As the Business and Trade Select Committee begins investigating these prolonged settlement issues, her account underscores the need for justice and reform in handling cases of wrongful prosecution. Viewers’ mixed reactions to the hosts’ interview style highlighted an ongoing challenge for Good Morning Britain, as fans called for better coordination during sensitive discussions on issues with a deep personal impact.