Ed Balls announces break from ITV as Ofcom row over GMB debacle hits 15k complaints
Ed Balls announced a temporary break from Good Morning Britain following a strong backlash to his interview with wife Yvette Cooper
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Good Morning Britain host Ed Balls came under fire last week after he interviewed his Home Secretary wife Yvette Cooper on the ITV show, prompting accusations of bias from viewers.
The controversial interview sparked more than 8,000 Ofcom complaints last week - but more have continued to flood in. Meanwhile, a separate interview fronted by Balls also saw some backlash, and a total of more than 15,000 complaints have now been made against the broadcaster and former politician.
Updating fans, the 57-year-old announced this week on social media that he'd be taking a temporary break from Good Morning Britain, with his post sparking further criticisms in the comments.
Taking to Instagram on Monday as arguments surrounding the "conflict of interest" row continued, Balls confirmed he'd be on a hiatus from the ITV show until September.
The Former Economic Secretary to the Treasury shared a snap of himself holding a pavlova as well as a selfie with ITV co-star, Kate Garraway.
He penned in the caption: "What better way to celebrate the start of summer holidays than with a pavlova - our family favourite - loved working with Kate last week during such national turbulent times. I'm back with Susanna at the beginning of September when schools and Parliament return - see you soon."
A whopping 8,201 complaints were made last week against Balls, with viewers saying the interview was "a conflict of interest" for Balls.
This week, around 8,400 further complaints were made in regard to the same interview, bringing the total number to 15,621.
The former Labour cabinet minister had quizzed his wife on the show over the UK-wide riots which were sparked following the horrific killings of three young girls in Southport.
Balls referred to their marriage prior to the discussion, telling his co-host: "I have not really seen her at all in the last week. When these events happen, and if you're the Prime Minister or Home Secretary, it becomes 24 hours a day seven days a week, so it's tough."
Ed Balls announced a temporary break from Good Morning Britain following a strong backlash to his interview with wife Yvette Cooper
After the duo interviewed Labour MP Sultana who pleaded with the government to brand the protests as "Islamophobic", Garraway kicked off the interview with Cooper by asking if she agreed.
Cooper replied: "Well, what we've seen on the streets of some cities and towns over the weekend is frankly criminal violence and thuggery.
"That is what it is foremost and that is why it needs the full force of law behind it, it's why we've made clear to the police that they have our full backing in order to pursue a full range of prosecutions, of penalties against those responsible.
"Arrests have already taken place we expect to see swift justice and penalties to follow. You're right that there has been a range of different things driving this including far-right extremism."
Last week, a spokesperson confirmed to GB News that the complaints which have flooded in related to the presenters’ questioning of Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana as well as the interview with his wife.
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Ed Balls' interview sparked 15,000 complaints to Ofcom
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Responding to Balls' latest update detailing his break, with one fuming in the comments section the interview with Cooper had been "absolutely embarrassing".
"Well said my thoughts also," another agreed. A third chimed: "A bit dodge interviewing the Mrs though let's be honest..."
Another shared: "Shame on you," with one more simply writing: "Smug."
Not everyone agreed though, with some taking the opportunity to applaud Balls. One remarked: "You do a great job on GMB xx."