Ed Balls has recalled the “unexpected” moment he was in tears on GMB as the ITV presenter reflected on a “really hard” health battle.

Co-host Ed was previously comforted by telly colleague Susanna Reid during an emotional item with former Pop Idol star Gareth Gates – who returned to the show today (July 9).

Today, the singer and Ed discussed the challenges both have faced due to suffering with a speech impediment. And it was also touched upon how former MP Ed had been left visibly moved by a chat with Gareth in 2023.

Gareth Gates was a guest on GMB today, and was interviewed by Ed Balls and Susanna Reid (Credit: ITV)

Ed Balls health news

Ed had previously interviewed Gareth last November – and the ex politician welled up at the time as he noted he had been “inspired” by Gareth.

He said at the time: “You inspired me. I thought: ‘If Gareth Gates can do this, I can too. And if he can be public, I can be public too.’

“It was really hard, but I did it because you showed me how to do it.”

Ed Balls was emotional again while chatting with Gareth Gates on GMB today (Credit: ITV)
‘We all inspire each other’

Meanwhile, Gareth has noted how he himself was surprised to discover Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson also has a stammer.

“He actually inspired me to act and, off the back of meeting him, I’ve done lots of West End shows, I’ve learned scripts and dialogue,” Gareth said.

He added: “I can now speak on stage, purely down to him, so we all inspire each other.”

Susanna comforts Ed

In a heartwarming display last November, Susanna told her emotional co-host: “Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s to be proud of. It’s part of your identity, isn’t it!”

And Gareth chipped in with: “You’re a role model for me now! For you to be doing this is really incredible.”

He added: “I’ve proved to people you can have an affliction and don’t let it dictate who you are. You’re able to achieve whatever you want in life. You just have to be strong.”

Additionally, on the show today, Ed and Susanna explained how she has come to recognise how to proceed if Ed has a “block”.

Every now and then, I have a bit of a block.

He explained: “Every now and then, I have a bit of a block. It is momentary. But I know that Susanna now knows that when that happens, you just wait and we carry on.”

Speaking about the moment he was in tears on GMB last November, Ed said today: “It was unexpected. I wasn’t expecting that.”