GMB's Richard Madeley admits he now holds back on comments after social media backlash

Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley says he changes what he says now over fear of a backlash on social media.

The presenter appeared on the ITV breakfast show today with Susanna Reid as they chatted to US talk show host Ricki Lake about her 90s show, which thrilled fans both across the UK and the world. Ricki has kept in touch with many of the people who appeared on the programme, and she revisits her show with her Raised with Ricki podcast.

During a chat with Ricki, Richard admits he censors himself now with what he says and admits there were things he'd be "very comfortable" saying two decades ago - but he won't now because of social media.

Richard admitted he changes what he says now because of social media (ITV)

Speaking on the ITV show, he said: "I've done talk shows with a foot in both camps - the pre-social media camp and now this camp - and it's certainly true that knowledge of social media affects the way I talk and what I say.

"I don't say things now that I would have been very comfortable saying 20 years ago. It changes the way we do things."

As Susanna insisted it doesn't mean it's bad, Ricki agreed and Richard chimed in: "I'm not saying it's bad, but it affects you. It's different."

Richard and Susanna spoke to talk show legend Ricki Lake (ITV)

It comes after Richard insisted he "couldn't give a stuff" about him being highly criticised on social media for his comments.

"Virtually any day that I do Good Morning Britain, you can go on Twitter an hour later and there will be some Twitter storm kicking off over something I’ve said or done," he told Express.co.uk.

"You have to decide whether it matters, whether it actually is going to have any bearing on what you say or do the next day, or whether you will be offered another contract, or if people will spit on you in the street."

Richard - and his wife Judy - have been a staple of TV for years (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

He added: "I've never had a contract withdrawn or altered. It doesn’t cross over into real life. I couldn't give a stuff!"

Richard also hit back at critics, insisting: "I really, genuinely, couldn’t give a stuff because I know that it doesn't matter. I'm still here and I’m still being asked to work, and nobody spits on me in the street, there is no impact in the real world."

*Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.