Good Morning Britain star Richard Madeley has reportedly agreed to a short-term deal to stay on the ITV breakfast sofa as bosses prepare a cost-cutting overhaul.
The veteran broadcaster, 69, has signed a six-month contract thought to begin in September, as part of a temporary arrangement while ITV reviews its presenter line-up.
It comes ahead of a major reshuffle in January which is expected to see some familiar faces axed in a bid to save millions.
A source told The Sun that Richard – one of the programme’s best-known hosts – has not been offered a long-term commitment.
They revealed: ‘Richard is one of the biggest names on the show but even he hasn’t been offered a long-term deal.
‘He’s signed for six more months and will then re-consider how the show looks. As things stand, almost every prominent face on the show is in talks.
Good Morning Britain star Richard Madeley has reportedly agreed to a short-term deal to stay on the ITV breakfast sofa as bosses prepare a cost-cutting overhaul
‘Some are going to go in the reshuffle, so it will depend on who rates well with focus groups and how much money each of them is insisting on.’
It had previously been reported in May that Richard’s position was under review before he reached a part-time agreement with bosses.
An ITV source told the Daily Mail: ‘We don’t comment on individual contracts but we have always said that we intend to keep our daytime shows familiar to our audience.
‘Good Morning Britain viewers can expect to see the presenting line up that they know and love on screen once the proposed changes to production and scheduling take place in 2026.’
ITV chiefs are said to be weighing presenter popularity in focus groups against salary demands as they decide who stays.
Only lead anchor Susanna Reid, 54, is guaranteed a longer-term deal.
Other regulars include Ed Balls, Robert Rinder and Kate Garraway, while Martin Lewis and other stand-ins rotate through the schedule.
The shake-up comes as ITV embarks on a drastic restructure, with plans to halve the daytime workforce at ITV Studios.
The veteran broadcaster, 69, has signed a six-month contract thought to begin in September, as part of a temporary arrangement while ITV reviews its presenter line-up
It comes ahead of a major reshuffle in January which is expected to see some familiar faces axed in a bid to save millions
ITV chiefs are said to be weighing presenter popularity in focus groups against salary demands as they decide who stays (pictured l-r) Charlotte Hawkins, Adil Ray, Richard Madeley, Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway, Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh
Only lead anchor Susanna Reid, 54, (pictured right) is guaranteed a longer-term deal
Bosses are also set to trim other shows, with Lorraine to be cut to just 30 minutes and broadcast for only 30 weeks a year.
The new regime, set to come into effect in January, will cost a potential 300 staff members their jobs as a consultation period begins, thought to last until September, before employees are finally let go in December.
A source told The Sun: ‘The tension is unbearable. There’s a lot of rage towards This Morning, which everyone feels is constantly favoured despite it being the lame duck of the daytime flock.
‘There’s a feeling that Loose Women and Lorraine are delivering resilient, solid ratings while This Morning is always in the Press for its tumbling viewing figures. Loose Women is even winning awards.
‘Never mind the Phillip Schofield scandal and then Holly Willoughby leaving, This Morning is like the black sheep and yet that’s the show that is not facing any cuts.
In May, ITV announced there would also be dramatic changes to Lorraine Kelly’s show slashed from an hour to 30 minutes and, like Loose Women, will only air 30 weeks of the year (pictured host Kaye Adams (L), guests Oti Mabuse and Myleene Klass (middle) and panelist Nadia Sawalha (R) in July 2025)
‘Everyone is absolutely furious that This Morning has got away with it yet again.’
A source added that some of the older members of the ITV presenting teams are worried that bosses will favour younger stars for the roles that are left.
Daily Mail contacted ITV for comment at the time.
The changes follow a slump in profits, with ITV reporting a 30 per cent fall in earnings in the first half of this year.
