The Good Morning Britain family were left emotional this week as the iconic ITV breakfast show began dismantling its set, marking the painful end of an era after months of uncertainty surrounding ITV’s sweeping cost-cutting plans.

Kate Garraway was seen looking tearful as the Good Morning Britain set was pulled down (Image: Philip Coburn /Daily Mirror)

From Monday, January 5, ITV Daytime will enter a brand-new chapter. The breakfast programme will be extended by 30 minutes, while Lorraine will be reduced by half an hour — a major shake-up that has already cost more than 220 jobs across the network.

Kate Garraway was seen fighting back tears as the studio was stripped away around her, while Susanna Reid and Laura Tobin looked visibly emotional during a heartfelt farewell gathering for staff who will not be moving on with the new format.

A source said:

“It’s devastating. People who have worked across GMTV, Daybreak and GMB for years are suddenly saying goodbye forever. Many weren’t ready to leave — but they have no choice.”

GMB presenter Susann Reid paid tribute to those leaving ITV as part of the shake up (Image: ITV)

Under the restructure, filming will move away from ITV Studios to ITN headquarters in central London, while other daytime shows will now be recorded at The H Club in Covent Garden — a symbolic relocation that feels like the closing of a treasured chapter.

Behind-the-scenes images obtained this week captured Kate Garraway welling up as farewell speeches echoed through the emptying studio — a space that has carried the nation through tragedies, pandemics, elections and royal milestones.

Susanna Reid later paid tribute on Instagram, posting a carousel of emotional moments from the final days at Television Centre:

“NEW YEAR’S EVE! A farewell to the BEST team in television. Goodbye to those off to new adventures… thank you to everyone who has made GMB what it is.”

She confirmed that she and Ed Balls will return on January 5, broadcasting from their new ITN base — joking she’ll be wearing her “serious glasses” after they unexpectedly appeared in Private Eye’s gift guide.

The transition comes after months of internal tension following the announcement back in May that ITV was slashing budgets across daytime television.

Despite the heartbreak, Susanna struck a hopeful tone:

“Look forward to seeing you then,” she concluded — but behind the optimism lies the quiet grief of a team forever changed.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/