Good Morning Britain fans demand Ed Balls is AXED amid soaring Ofcom complaints and replaced by Big Brother legend
GOOD Morning Britain fans have demanded Ed Balls is AXED amid soaring Ofcom complaints.
ITV viewers called for the host to be sacked following a heated debate with politician Zarah Sultana, 30, over the interpretation of her comments about the current UK rioting.
The Coventry South Labour MP had branded them “Islamophobic” and “racist”, comments which were chalenged by former shadow chancellor, Ed, 57.
He also came under fire for interviewing his own wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, this week.
She had appeared on the show to discuss the riots and protests from across the country.
However, some believed Ed and his co-star Kate Garraway showed a bias towards her as a result of their personal connection.
Now, they’re hoping Rylan Clark, 35, will take over following his year of experience on This Morning and The One Show.
The Big Brother legend is currently as short as 7/2 in the betting markets to replace Ed, whose presenting role at GMB is under threat and he is 11/10 to be replaced.
University Challenge host Amol Rajan, Roman Kemp, Dermot O’Leary and Ronan Keating (6/1) also in the running, according to betideas.com.
In the segment, Zarah argued that her comments had been misrepresented and taken out of context, insisting that she did not endorse violence.
She stated: “I’m not endorsing violence, I’m saying that we need to understand the reasons why it happens.”
Zarah highlighted the importance of understanding causes behind the social unrest and learning from historical events.
She emphasised that her intention was to provoke thoughtful discussion on the underlying factors that lead to riots, rather than to justify the actions themselves.
Ed, however, pressed Zarah on the potential implications of her remarks, questioning whether they might be interpreted as condoning violent behavior.
He said: “The implication of your argument is that there is a kind of justification for violence.
“The problem is if you say that there are understandable causes that produce rioting, there is an implicit moral justification for the riot.”
The exchange became particularly tense when Zarah accused Ed of deliberately distorting her words for the sake of sensationalism.
She defended her position by pointing out the need for politicians and public figures to address the root causes of social discontent, rather than solely condemning the symptoms.
Zarah said: “It’s really important that we don’t misrepresent what’s being said for the sake of sensationalism.
“When we talk about the causes of violence and the causes of social unrest, it’s about understanding them, not justifying them.”
Ed challenged this viewpoint, replying: “If we justify violence, we are in danger of encouraging it.”
He stressed the importance of a clear stance against violence, saying, “It’s really important to be absolutely clear that we are not endorsing any kind of violent behavior.”
Throughout the debate, both Ed and Zarah remained firm in their positions – with Kate Garraway, journalist Andrew Pierce and Labour politician Ben Bradshaw appearing to side with the show anchor.
Ed maintained that any suggestion of rioting was dangerous while Zarah reiterated her stance on needing to addressing the issue.
She argued: “We need to tackle the root causes of why people feel the need to riot.”
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fumed: “Hope that all #GMB viewers have reported this vile behaviour to ofcom, the show is awful and I don’t watch and this just proves it, so much lack of care for the people across the country being affected by the riots, and no guest invited onto the show should be treated like this.”
Good Morning Britain's Biggest Ofcom complaints
Good Morning Britain has had its fair share of Ofcom complaints over the years, even holding the title for most complained about show in 2021. Here are some of the most notable:
- September 2017 – Michael Davidson appeared on the programme to argue his case for gay conversion therapy – 1,099 complaints
- January 2020 – Piers Morgan under fire for ‘mocking Chinese accent’ in conversation on Peter Phillips advertising Chinese milk – 1,756 complaints
- April 2020 – Piers Morgan criticised for ‘combative’ interview techniques used while talking to MP Helen Whatley over Covid care home deaths and treatment – 5,501 complaints
- November 2020 – Rishi Sunak and Ben Shephard clash over disputed information regarding Covid furlough scheme – 1,700 complaints
- March 2021 – Piers Morgan’s comments about Meghan Markle and mental health after her Oprah interview – 57,121 complaints
- October 2023 – Richard Madeley asked MP Layla Moran – who has family in Gaza – if she had any prior knowledge of Hamas attack – 2,391 complaints.
Someone else raged: “This MP was treated shabbily and there is a moment when she looks at them both with a ‘I see you’ and both Kate and Ed, who should know better, are out of their depth and land in disgrace. Poor judgement from #GMB this morning.”
Another agreed: “@GMB Shame on you for this morning’s interview @Ofcom please investigate @edballs vile inflammatory behaviour.
“The way Zarah Sultana was treated by Good Morning Britain‘s hosts and panellists this morning was nothing short of appalling. Ask tough questions – she’s used to it! – but the sneering and constant interrupting when she was trying to talk about the realities of racism and Islamophobia as the only person of colour on set came across as completely callous and tone-deaf.”
A fourth added: “4 white people ganging up and speaking down to a Brown Muslim women, who is scared for her life, in the midst of riots where far right racists are literally roaming the streets attacking and attempting to kill black and brown people, is disgusting #gmb
@GMB.”
One more replied: “I watched this. Shocking by #GMB. If @Ofcom look at it they will be shocked.”
