Susanna Reid shared her wish for her late friend and former colleague Bill Turnbull to be there with her as she marked 20 years in TV on Good Morning Britain.
While, for the last eight years, former Strictly finalist and broadcaster Susanna has been best known for being an anchor on GMB, working alongside the likes of Ben Shephard, Adil Ray, Richard Madeley and, of course, Piers Morgan, prior to her switch to ITV, Susanna was a permanent fixture on BBC Breakfast, where she spent many years teaming up with Bill.
BIll sadly lost his brave battle with cancer last year, passing away at the age of 66, just a year after he reunited with Susanna to host with her on GMB,
And Bill was at the forefront of Susanna's mind as she celebrated her career milestone on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain. Talking about the people who she'd worked with over the years and those who'd made a lasting impact, Susanna singled out Bill, saying: "I see all the individuals I've sat next to along the way, you don't do this alone in breakfast telly, so it's fantastic to have you here... obviously it's very emotional to see Bill because we've lost him and that remains very painful and he taught me everything I know about presenting."
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Susanna mentioned Bill again laster in the show, reflecting on all her early starts over the last two decades and telling GMB co-host Ed Balls: " started with Bill Turnbull, and it is really a shame not to be able to celebrate with Bill. I'd love to be able to text him this morning and talk to him about that.
"He was absolutely brilliant, but luckily I am surrounded by other brilliant people and so thank you very much for being with me on the journey."
Susanna also p[id a cheekly tribute to herb former Good Morning BRitain partner in crime, Piers Morgan, two years on from his fraught exit from the show.
Discussing outspoken news anchor Piers, she remarked: "A huge thank you to Piers Morgan of this parish, five years alongside him. He made me bolder, more argumentative, more difficult I think, more probing, asking the tricky questions and going into battle every morning."
She ended her speech: Slightly different since then but definitely a big thank you to everyone I've presented with over 20 years. Getting up at 3.45 and I'm still here."
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