'THIS IS RICHARD'S LAST BIG CHANCE'

The GMB star is eager to impress amid all the changes at ITV

- STEPHEN LENG

This year is a big one for Richard Madeley, and for his leading role on Good Morning Britain. For while he is staying where he is staying where he is for at least a little while, the wider changes happening at ITV Daytime could mean he finds himself out on his ear should the bosses decide it – as Susanna Reid is the only host guaranteed to have a longer-term deal.

So Richard is desperate to prove his worth. And with a recent backlash against fellow male host Adil Ray, after he suggested the new mayor of New York Zohran Mamdani could introduce Sharia law – Islamic law that has caused controversy in non-Islamic countries – into NYC, Richard is trying to make sure those at the top see him as a steady hand. Indeed, the reaction to Adil’s comments were so bad that Adil was called in by ‘cross’ executives, causing him to clarify what he meant. ‘I am not actually suggesting Mamdani would implement “Sharia law”. But many of the issues he campaigned for are also some of the positive values of Sharia that Muslims try to live by. Something many of us would agree on,’ he stated.

Lasting impact

A source told