Good Morning Britain marked the ‘end of an era’ today when a veteran ITV star signed off for the last time.
News reporter Richard Gaisford finished his stint as chief correspondent during the Christmas Eve episode of the breakfast TV show.
The 53-year-old first joined ITV 26 years ago, and since then, he’s reported on location from natural disasters, war zones, and terror attacks, as well as other high-profile cases like the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
Gaisford ended his era saying: ‘It has been a privilege. I have had the best job in television news, and I’ve worked with the most incredible people.
‘I will miss all of you immensely and wish you the best of luck with what happens next year.
He went on: ‘I’m out there looking for some new adventures.’
Presenter Charlotte Hawkins paid her compliments to Gaisford, calling him an ‘exceptional journalist’.
Balls continued, on behalf of the viewers. He thanked him for ‘all of that public broadcasting service […] finding truth and objectivity and telling all of us what is really going on.’
He also admitted to learning a lot from Gaisford, as the ‘newbie on the block’.
Gaisford announced his departure from the show in October this year.
On X, he wrote: ‘Some personal news. Counting down to the end of an era’.
In a recorded message on his Instagram, Gaisford shared a touching message to his wife, ‘who has just been amazing, an incredible support throughout this whole period’.
He added he ‘really couldn’t have done this job, had a lovely family life and followed the career I wanted, without her support’ before also giving thanks to the people who have been watching ‘for more than a quarter of a century.’
Gaisford finished by saying: ‘I will miss speaking with you in the mornings and hope to see you on the television sometime soon.’
Colleagues showed their support under his post, with Susanna Reid writing: ‘You are the best Richard – thank you for your calm, authoritative, knowledgeable and fearless reporting.
‘New adventures beckon – excited to see where you go and the stories you cover.’
Newsreader, Marverine Cole, echoed Reid’s sentiments – she said: ‘Gonna miss you, Richard. It’s been an honour to know you and work with you.’
Gaisford is the second GMB star to finish at the show this month.
Presenter Sally Biddulph bid farewell to the show on December 17 after 17 years with ITV.
Good Morning Britain is available to watch on ITVX and returns tomorrow at 7am.
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