Top of the MORNING!

MICHELLE ACKERLEY, GETHIN JONES and HELEN SKELTON invite TV Times behind the scenes of the hit daytime show

- REBECCA FLETCHER

It’s a hive of activity at Morning Live HQ in Manchester when TV Times arrives bright and early for an exclusive backstage glimpse at how the award-winning BBC1 magazine show gets on air each weekday.

‘Thanks for coming to join us, we’re always happy to shout about Morning Live,’ smiles presenter Gethin Jones, 46, greeting us with a bowl of porridge in hand and looking chipper for someone whose alarm went off at 4.55am! ‘You’re the first magazine to come behind the scenes – you need a tour!’

We follow him into the programme’s brightly lit studio, where cohost Helen Skelton is perched on a stool behind the desk that experts and guests use to discuss news and consumer issues, as well as food, DIY, health and finance stories.

‘Welcome!’ beams Helen, 40, waving mid-rehearsal while reading the autocue from one of five huge cameras.

‘I tripped over those camera wires in my heels this week!’ groans Michelle Ackerley, 39, who shares presenting duties with Helen and Gethin. ‘Everyone at home saw, but that’s live TV!’

With only 30 minutes until the show begins, we peek in the hair and make-up room to meet makeup artist Aimee Jackson and wardrobe stylist Alex Young, who’s busy sorting clothes for the trio. Slipping into the production gallery, we’re faced with TV screens showing the studio, with cameras trained on the hosts, who are having finishing touches made to their looks.

As the theme tune plays, a ‘LIVE – ON AIR’ box lights up, and we settle down to enjoy the show, which returned to our screens last week for the summer following a short break.

After filming finishes, Michelle, Helen and Gethin are buzzing with adrenaline as they join us in the green room to share insights into the secrets of Morning Live's success...