Ed Balls agreed to “sit out” a Good Morning Britain interview with his wife Yvette Cooper after a conflict of interest row erupted the last time she was on the programme.
ITV were flooded with thousands of complaints in August after Balls joined in a grilling of the home secretary.
At the time, GMB bosses defended the decision to let the interview go ahead.
“Following a weekend of rioting and national unrest, GMB featured a range of interviews and discussion around this national emergency on today’s programme which included James Cleverly, shadow home secretary, and Yvette Cooper, home secretary,” a spokesperson said.
“We are satisfied that these interviews were balanced, fair and duly impartial.”
But on GMB this morning, viewers were informed that there had been a change of heart.
Balls’ co-presenter Susanna Reid said: “Still to come, as the government doubles the money it’s putting in to tackle people smuggling gangs, it is still facing criticism after a record month for crossings in October. Joined by the home secretary Yvette Cooper next.”
Balls then said: “Who as you know, she’s my wife. so I’ll sit this one out.”