Ed Balls leaves Good Morning Britain mid-show as Yvette Cooper returns after Ofcom fury

was forced to quickly exit the ITV studio as his wife appeared - forcing Susanna Reid to host solo.

Susanna and Ed were presenting the programme together on Monday (November 4) as usual, but as the Secretary of State appeared to be quizzed on the latest policies, Ed took a quick exit.

Susanna announced: "We're joined by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper."

And Ed chimed in: "As you know, she is my wife, so I'm going to sit this one out, but Susanna and I will be joined by Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire after that."

It comes after a storm of Ofcom complaints were lodged against the programme when Ed last interviewed his wife in August - though the broadcasting watchdog refused to investigate.

Ofcom received more than 16,000 complaints at the time, but the watchdog told Sky News: "Taking into account that their relationship was made clear twice, that a range of views about Labour's handling of the riots were included in the programme as a whole, and given the vast majority of the interview was conducted by co-presenter, Kate Garraway, we will not be pursuing further."

Dame Carolyn McCall, meanwhile, confirmed ITV would "not do it again". In a statement she said: "It was a very, very tricky morning, there was a national emergency almost being called, and so we got very short notice that the home secretary was coming on the show.

"She was doing a whole round [of interviews], but it was unexpected, and we believe that it was fair and impartial."

Adding: "So would we do it again? No. Was it impartial, fair and balanced? And did they behave professionally? Yes."

Though Ed is no longer an active politician, he previously served as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010, and as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2011 to 2015.

The reaction on social media was instant, with one X user writing: "Ed Balls is not interviewing his wife Yvette Cooper! We see you ITV avoiding being accused of conflict of interest!"

Another added: "How come Ed Balls isn't asking the Home Secretary any questions? Oh yeah."

Ed and Yvette tied the knot in 1998, and they share three children together - Ellie, Joe and Maddy.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.