Good Morning Britain viewers had a shock today as Richard Arnold announced plans to “disappear” from the show for a while.
The much-loved showbiz correspondent, 48, surprised everyone by revealing on Friday’s programme that he would be taking a temporary break from daytime.
Why? Well, Richard kept that under wraps – and also refused to put a length on his absence.
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He told the hosts: “I have an announcement. I’m retiring from the public eye.
“I am disappearing for a while. Who knows when I’ll be back? You know what it’s like in this business.”
The camera then cut to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Iain Lee lounging around in Richard’s dressing room.
Iain will be replacing Richard while he’s away.
Richard said: “Iain Lee will be filling in, momentarily I’m told. There he is, in my dressing room, already settling himself in!”
Iain was then seen scribbling over some of Richard’s GMB publicity photos.
“Hello, Richard, Iain here!” he said. “Just filling in for you for a couple of weeks, so please don’t panic!
“I haven’t got time to get my own publicity pictures done so I’m just colouring in the beard here.
“Thanks a lot. Have a great break!”
Back in the studio, Ben Shephard tried to get some info from Richard on where he was going, questioning: “So, you’re off on your jollies?”
But Richard wasn’t giving anything away!
Instead, he said: “Iain is ‘temporarily filling in’ – we know what that means in this business!”
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Ben quipped: “That’s showbiz, mate!”
Laughing, Richard replied: “Merry Christmas!”
Sorry to see you go Richard but welcome to the team, Iain!
Iain finished in third place on this year’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and currently hosts a 10pm show on talkRADIO during the week.
GMB airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.