GMB Andi Peters praises ITV for "getting more Black faces on TV"

Photo credit: Karwai Tang - Getty Images
Photo credit: Karwai Tang - Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Good Morning Britain's Andi Peters has praised ITV for their "great statement" in "getting more Black faces on television".

The presenter is taking over the reins of ITV morning show Lorraine for two weeks, from August 10 to 21, while regular host Lorraine Kelly is on a summer break.

Speaking to The Mirror he revealed that he is "chuffed" to have been asked to look after hosting duties on the show, saying that it is "great they have asked me to do it".

Photo credit: Karwai Tang - Getty Images
Photo credit: Karwai Tang - Getty Images

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"It's a real break from tradition and it's a great statement from the channel about getting more Black faces on television in lead roles as opposed to support roles, which is really important and we mustn't shy away from that fact," he said.

"I love Lorraine, I've known her for ten years, I'm on her show every day and it's great to be part of that family. So, sitting in for her is an honour, Lorraine is an institution."

Calling 2020 "ridiculous" Andi revealed that he has found it "weird" to work from home for so many months rather than being in a studio.

He also joked about how presenting GMB's competition segment live from his shed for several months reminded him of filming in the famous CBBC Broom Cupboard back in the early 90s, when he used to present alongside This Morning's Phillip Schofield.

"Presenting from my garage, what's been brilliant, it reminds people of the broom cupboard!" he said. "It has this wonderfully nostalgic feel to it but in 2020 people just want something familiar.

"Me in a confined space, I spent three years doing that on BBC1. The space I have is genuinely bigger than the broom cupboard!"

Andi has revealed that he'll be taking a "happy and jolly" approach to hosting Lorraine and has promised some in-depth chats with his guests.

"I'm looking forward to chatting to people and having a whole hour to actually relax into it," he said. "I'm a bit of a chatterbox. I'll enjoy having guests on, who want to have a bit of a chinwag and also to be able to do some serious stuff."

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV.


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