Susanna Reid has hit back at criticism from viewers over the ‘cramped’ Good Morning Britain studio, after the programme made its debut in a new space on Monday.
The TV presenter, who was joined by Ed Balls for the show’s return after the Christmas period, was seen looking closer to guests than usual as the studio was scaled down as part of changes to ITV’s daytime schedule.
Fans of the breakfast programme took to X, formerly Twitter, to mock the new set up – noting that it appeared Susanna, 55, had to lean back from guests, which included Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch, during the broadcast.
Now, Susanna has hit back against the criticism, replying to viewers that despite the scale-down in studio size, she was ‘happy’ to be ‘closer’ to show guests.
She penned on X after the waves of complaints: ‘New studio = big headlines! More than happy to be closer to our brilliant guests…’
It didn’t stop viewers from sharing their thoughts, replying to Susanna in the comments: ‘Not loving it, sorry. Looks too cramped and uncomfortable…’
Susanna Reid has hit back at criticism from viewers over the ‘cramped’ Good Morning Britain studio, after the programme made its debut in a new space on Monday
GMB presenter Ed Balls shared a photo alongside Susanna Reid in their new studio
Another chimed in to hit back against the star: ‘Sorry, but not a fan. It looks really small and cramped and the London skyline behind where you sit looks like a very bad print.’
While a third agreed: ‘I’m sorry, I don’t like the new studio, too small & far too close to each other, plus the logo on the front looks like a cheap sticker. The old studio is much better!’
On Monday, the ITV show returned with Susanna and Ed, 58, behind the new studio desk – and and fans were quick to point out what they didn’t like about the space.
Co-host Ed, a former Labour shadow chancellor, posted a photo of the pair preparing for the show on X, writing: ‘New Year, New Studio – we’re off on GMB in 2026!’
But one scathing criticism said: ‘ITV cuts showing in the new set. So small, looks cheap and people sitting on top of each other.’
Another commenter said: ‘The problem with the smaller studio is when there are four people at the desk everyone leans outwards when speaking to look directly at those around them.
‘Unfortunately in single camera shot it looks like we are constantly looking at human leaning towers.’
The presenter was also asked: ‘Have you replaced everyone in the gallery too? Awful camera angles, cutting cameras to the wrong shot.’
The Good Morning Britain set looked significantly different before the revamp
Susanna also shared a photo from the new studio space
GMB viewers had been left baffled when the programme disappeared from scheduling last week, amid huge job cuts and a studio move.
Viewers were left confused as the show disappeared from their screens, with one social media user asking: ‘Where is GMB this morning?‘
Another wrote: ‘Pretty pathetic going off air for two days. Do you think there is no news in early January? Really sad!’
In GMB’s previous programme on December 31, Richard Madeley and Ranvir Singh told viewers they would be back on January 5, in a different studio and with different producers – ITN – in 2026.
‘It is our final show of 2025, with the best team on television here, and it’s the last one in the studio as we make a move to a new home in the New Year,’ the presenters said.
‘GMB returns on Monday the 5th of January, and we hope to see you then. From all the presenting team we want to say a huge heartfelt thank you to every person who helps on this show, a huge thank you.’
The show’s break comes amid budget cuts, including 220 jobs lost and a reshuffle that sees GMB regulars such as Charlotte Hawkins presenting other programmes including ITV News bulletins.
The breakfast show has moved from the Television Centre to ITN headquarters in central London, while other ITV daytime shows will be filmed at The H Club in Covent Garden.
Weather presenter Laura Tobin also appeared on screen as the programme returned to ITV
The breakfast show has moved to ITN headquarters in central London
GMB staff were last year said to have been left furious about having to bring in their own breakfast to work as the ITV budget cuts pulled tight on the purse strings.
The presenters are among the ITV staff who were allegedly told that their new workspace will not have toasters to make breakfast as the show relocates to the ITN studios.
Susanna Reid is thought to be among the stars of the show who attended a meeting where staff were notified the machines were banned due to health and safety.
An insider told The Sun: ‘It is mutiny down at Good Morning Britain HQ. The new offices’ kitchen is in a basement with no windows or natural light, so smoke from a toaster is a serious health hazard.
‘Everyone will have to start bringing in their Tupperware packed breakfasts.’
Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women are relocating this month to the basement studio of London’s The H Club Studio, a former private members’ club in Covent Garden.
Almost 900 hours of live daily programming a year will be produced at the new studio, which features a 360-degree set with LED walls to project the backgrounds for the different shows.
Instead of separate spaces, the three series – which air back-to-back on weekdays on ITV – will use one gallery, with a quick turn around plan of the space between shows.
The space, which is across two floors, will also be open to other ITV shows outside the daytime schedule.
Emma Gormley, managing director at ITV Studios Daytime, said when announcing the move: ‘As we work towards more cutting edge and efficient ways to produce Daytime shows in 2026.
‘This move to The H Club studio offers state of the art technology that we can use across our programmes to create shows that are distinctive – with a look and feel that are familiar to and loved by our viewers.
‘In a time of transformation for the entire industry, I want to thank all our Daytime teams for their dedication and skill in producing high-quality, compelling live shows every day throughout this period.’
