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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

ITV Kate Garraway's Life Stories viewers cast verdict as Piers Morgan has his say on 'weird' change

Kate Garraway made her Life Stories hosting debut on Thursday night.

The Good Morning Britain star has taken over the ITV show from Piers Morgan who quit after 12 years last year.

Piers announced the move back in October after the journalist announced that he is to join News Corp and Fox News Media in a deal that will see him host a new global TV show.

Kate was Piers' final guest on the programme back in December before taking over as host.

READ MORE: Rochelle Humes teases more ITV work after This Morning stint as she poses with daytime co-stars

She sat down for an emotional chat with her former ITV co-star and friend about her long career and the devastating impact Covid has had on her husband, Derek Draper, and their family.

Kate's debut interview saw her sit down with football legend, John Barnes.

The in-depth interview covered the darker and lighter moments in the former Liverpool footballer's life.

One of those moments was when John was playing in the FA Cup semi-final on April 15, 1989 when 97 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed.

He said he was wracked with guilt after the Hillsborough disaster, knowing fans who had gone to see him play were killed in the crush.

Kate's first Life Stories interview was with John Barnes (ITV)

John also spoke about the shock the team felt on the coach back from the tragedy, before he spent the night holding his son.

During the interview, John also tells the story of his rise to stardom in the 1980s as a footballer for Watford, Liverpool and England and opened up about the racist abuse he suffered during his career.

But an interview with John wouldn't have been complete without talking about his rap in New Order's World in Motion which still remains an England anthem today.

During Kate and John's chat, viewers were taking to social media to cast their verdict on Kate's debut on the show.

And it was all good news for the GMB star.

@PhilBow69 tweeted: "#LifeStories so much better in Kate Garroway's hands. Great interview with @officialbarnesy, what a life."

"Ah @kategarraway was already so much better than Piers Morgan in the first 10 mins. Always made it about the interviewee. Great work Kate! #LifeStories," @LisainEdinburgh said.

@susfion commented: "Great first Life Stories Kate! You are a worthy successor xxx."

"@kategarraway you were amazing on #lifestories. @piersmorgan will be proud," @asdtourettesmum added.

While Piers didn't cast his verdict after the show, he did send a message of support to Kate before the show aired.

He tweeted: "Good luck to @kategarraway who hosts her first Life Stories show tonight.

"As I told Kate today, it does feel a bit weird handing over the reins of a show I presented for so long, but at least it’s to someone I love!

"Wish her all the very best."

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