End of an era: GMTV is no more Pic: ©Ken McKay/Rex Features
GMTV was broadcast for the last time ever this morning, as the news, features and entertainment show came to a close after a reign of 17 years.
Presenters Andrew Castle and Emma Crosby (pictured) – who are both leaving to pursue new projects – fronted the last show, with guests on the programme including boy band McFly.
From Monday, GMTV will be replaced with new breakfast show Daybreak, which is being fronted by Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles, who both moved from the BBC for their new challenge.
Current GMTV presenter Kate Garraway and John Stapleton have been offered new positions on the show, but others, including Emma Crosby, Ben Shephard and Penny Smith have all left the programme.
Many famous faces have made their names on GMTV since it first broadcast in 1993, including Anthea Turner, Scots Jenni Falconer, Carla Romano and Lorraine Kelly, Eamonn Holmes, Fiona Armstrong and Ben Shephard.
Memorable interviews over the years have included Paul McCartney’s ex-wife Heather Mills breaking down live on the GMTV sofa, the McCann’s appealing for information about their missing daughter Madeleine, and coverage of breaking news stories including the Haiti earthquake and the Pakistan floods in 2010.
Various Prime Ministers over the space of the last 17 years have also appeared on the legendary sofa to speak about the political agenda and plans for the country.
There have also been a host of glitzy showbiz interviews with stars including Mariah Carey, Angelina Jolie and Tom Jones. LA correspondents Carla Romano and Ross King have brought in many juicy exclusives and inside report, with Carla one of the first showbiz reporters to be shown round Michael Jackson’s Neverland home after his death in 2009, and Ross King breaking the news about Robbie Williams’ wedding to Ayda Field, earlier this year.
On the last morning of GMTV, Friday September 3 2010, crew members and others from the presenting team gathered in the studio to watch the last ever episode of GMTV, and wave goodbye to the iconic morning programme.
Andrew Castle, who has been with the show for the last 10 years, paid an emotional tribute to the programme. “We want to say to the viewers who have been with us for such a long time thank you so much.”
He also wished the new team on GMTV the best of luck for Monday. Daybreak will launch at 6am on Monday, September 6, and will run until 8.30am each weekday, before Scottish presenter Lorraine Kelly kicks off her new show, Lorraine, from 8.30am-9.30am.
A FRESH START:
- Christine does best WAG impression as she launches Daybreak
- Adrian denies he moved to Daybreak for the cash
- Bleakley is ‘terrified’ about her new TV challenge
- Check out the new dream team in our gallery
