Piers Morgan praises his ‘brutally honest’ relationship with Susanna Reid

Piers Morgan has praised his ‘brutally honest’ relationship with his Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid after a ‘very difficult’ year of hosting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The broadcaster, 55, said he and Susanna have ‘had each other’s backs’ during a challenging year, after taking on the ‘huge burden’ of keeping viewers informed throughout the crisis.

Piers and Susanna are set to host GMB’s first ever festive special on Christmas Day on Friday, and the presenter said they hope to offer some relief to viewers who are facing the festive season alone due to government restrictions.

Moving: Piers Morgan has praised his ‘brutally honest’ relationship with his Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid after a ‘very difficult’ hosting during the COVID-19 pandemic

Piers told The Mirror he ‘values’ his friendship with Susanna ‘on and off-screen,’ after the pair marked five years hosting GMB together last month.

He said: ‘I feel like Susanna and I had each other’s backs during some very difficult shows.

‘She’s brilliant and I hugely value our often brutally honest friendship, on-screen and off. 

‘It’s not been easy but it’s been very rewarding. I think we’ve all felt the huge burden of responsibility to inform and guide our viewers through this turbulent, troubling time and I’m proud of how we’ve done it.’

Coming soon: The duo are set to to host GMB's first ever festive special on Christmas Day, and hope to offer some light relief to viewers who are struggling due to COVID-19 restrictions

Coming soon: The duo are set to to host GMB’s first ever festive special on Christmas Day, and hope to offer some light relief to viewers who are struggling due to COVID-19 restrictions

Piers and Susanna have continued to host GMB during the COVID-19 crisis, and have been praised for holding the government to account over its handling of the pandemic.

The pair will join the ITV presenting lineup to present a festive special on Christmas Day, joining Lorraine Kelly and This Morning’s Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

In November, Piers revealed his elderly parents, mother Gabrielle and stepdad Glynne Pughe-Morgan were feeling much better after battling coronavirus. 

The presenter told Good Morning Britain viewers: ‘They’re a lot better, it’s such a relief’, adding that his stepdad had got his taste back. 

It's not been easy! Piers said he and Susanna have 'had each other's backs' during a challenging year, having taken on the 'huge burden' of informing viewers throughout the crisis

It’s not been easy! Piers said he and Susanna have ‘had each other’s backs’ during a challenging year, having taken on the ‘huge burden’ of informing viewers throughout the crisis

Piers had previously said that his stepdad had been unable to taste wine and he had urged him to drink the ‘cheap stuff to save himself a fortune.’ 

But on Thursday, he said his delighted stepdad had finally managed to taste salt in his meal.

He said: ‘He saw that as a gigantic step forward to being able to taste his wine again.

‘So, well done, dad. One small salt step for man, one giant leap for your chances of guzzling some vino by the end of the week.’  

Piers had revealed that this parents, both in their mid to late seventies, had contracted the deadly coronavirus from a member of their support bubble.

Success: Piers and Susanna have continued to host GMB during the COVID-19 crisis, and have been praised for holding the government to account over its handling of the pandemic

Success: Piers and Susanna have continued to host GMB during the COVID-19 crisis, and have been praised for holding the government to account over its handling of the pandemic

He said: ‘I’d like to say something to my parents, they are both battling COVID and have been for two weeks and it’s a scary thing for a family…

‘When your elderly parents are fighting it, they are both in their mid to late 70s, and they got it two weeks ago from someone in their bubble and they had to go out and they were very sensible but got the virus and then bang it was like dominoes.’ 

Last month, Piers defiantly claimed that he ‘doesn’t care’ what people think of him, joking that he sees their differing opinions as ‘a good chance to wage a new feud’.

Speaking to GQ Magazine after winning the Men Of The Year award for Personality Of The Year, the TV star opened up on not being bothered on how he’s perceived.

He said on the public opinion of him: ‘I don’t really care what people say about me. Honestly. I know people think I must do, but I really don’t. I just see it as a good chance to wage a new feud.’ 

Dynamic duo: He also said he 'values' his friendship with Susanna 'on and off-screen,' after the pair marked five years hosting GMB together last month

Dynamic duo: He also said he ‘values’ his friendship with Susanna ‘on and off-screen,’ after the pair marked five years hosting GMB together last month