Susanna Reid has opened up about what it’s like working with Ben Shephard ahead of the launch of ‘Good Morning Britain’ on ITV1 later this month.
The presenter left the BBC Breakfast sofa to move to ITV earlier this year, and she’s been spending her time between jobs getting to know her new co-hosts.
Susanna Reid
Susanna has revealed that she has great chemistry with former GMTV presenter Ben, who she’ll be sharing main duties with.
“I like to socialise with the people I work with and really get to know them,” she explained. “The last couple of weeks have been about having lunch with Ben Shephard and Charlotte Hawkins. I’m going out with Charlie on Thursday. I definitely like to be friends with the people I work with.”
“You need to trust each other,” Susanna added. “When the proverbial hits the fan, you need to know the other person has your back and the other person needs to know the same about you.
“Trust is critical. My experience of news presenting has always been with someone else in a partnership or a team. When big things break, it means you can share the reporting of it.
“I’ve been lucky in that I’ve worked with the best in breakfast television. Bill Turnbull — legend. Charlie Stayt — legend, and I’m about to work with Ben Shephard — legend."
Ben and Susanna will be working together for the first time
Despite not knowing Ben before the new project, Susanna has had no problems getting along with him.
“I didn’t know Ben but I didn’t feel nervous meeting him because he’s such a familiar face having presented ‘GMTV’ and been such a regular on television,” she explained. “It felt like I’d known him all my life.”
“If you’re presenting with someone, you make it work. To me, that’s key,” she added. “You’re going to work differently with different people, so I’d work out the best way of getting the best out of each other.
“The audience like a lot of interaction on air, they want to know that you get on and to feel comfortable with you.
“They want chemistry, they don’t want friction.”
Susanna also thinks her stint on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has also helped her prepare for the role.
“When you have done 'Strictly' live on a Saturday night in front of millions, you’ll never be that nervous again,” she added.
‘Good Morning Britain’ is set to launch on Monday 28 April 2014, replacing ‘Daybreak’ which hasn't been a hit with viewers.
Susanna left the BBC shortly after finishing second in ‘Strictly’ earlier this year, but it hasn't all been smooth-sailing for the star.
In March, Susanna and long-term partner Dominic Cotton announced their split, with sources citing Susanna’s hectic ‘Strictly’ schedule as one of the factors contributing towards their separation.