GMB star Richard Madeley was forced to step in for Ben Shephard on This Morning after the flagship presenter had spent too long on the toilet.

The 68-year-old joined the ITV programme to promote his new book Father’s Day, but instead found himself on the presenting side of the blue sofa, alongside Cat Deeley. Opening the daytime show for the first time in 22-years, Richard greeted viewers before hinting at what they can expect from today’s programme.

He said: “Welcome back to your Wednesday’s This Morning, with me Richard Madeley and Cat Deeley here. There’s a lot more coming up for you on the programme today. How’s your morning been so far?”

Ben quickly returned to take over from Richard ( 

Image:

ITV)

However, his fronting role was short-lived as Ben quickly returned, saying: “Madeley, go on. To the other side of the sofa.” Reluctantly returning to the guest seat, Richard quipped: “Don’t spend so long in the loo then,” while Cat joined in: “We all got a Madeley warm-up.”

The flagship show was originally presented by Richard and his wife Judy Finnigan, who fronted the show from 1988 to 2002. The couple returned to This Morning in 2009 to celebrate the programme’s 21st birthday, and hosted again four years later for the 25th anniversary.

In recognition of Richard’s history with the show, This Morning opened up with the original music and titles, which included images of the couple’s daughter Chloe as a baby. Discussing the previous format, Ben said: “Isn’t it amazing though that music and the original title.”

The GMB star then shocked his fellow ITV presenters as he revealed his book’s dark and disturbing premise. During the segment, Richard described how his book revolves around a widowed father Nick Wychwood, who loses his beloved daughter Lucy to suicide.

As the plot unravels, it is revealed that Lucy was in fact groomed by an online abuser, and Nick decides to track him down. Speaking about his book, Richard explained: “[It’s about] the power of revenge. What would a father do? What would you do if it was your daughter who had been cajoled into killing herself? Taking her own life. What would you do to the man responsible?”

Ben then quipped: “See, you come across as such a lovely, affable, easy-going guy but there’s a dark, sinister side to Madeley. There’s the journalist in you, because of course, you will have covered stories like this endlessly over the years.”