Showbiz

Controversial Good Morning Britain star announces return to show after career change derailed by scandal and emergency health scare

Controversial Good Morning Britain star announces return to show after career change derailed by scandal and emergency health scare

Iain Dale has announced his return to Good Morning Britain after a mᴀssive career change and an emergency health scare.

The broadcaster, 62, announced the exciting news on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday. 

Sharing a snap of himself at the GMB studios with Caroline Flint, he penned: ‘This week is getting better and better. I’ve been asked to return to GMB on Friday! I’ll be alongside the wonderful Caroline Flint!’

The big announcement comes after a turbulent year for Iain, who went on to become a Conservative Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells after stepping down from his role at LBC radio in May.

However, his political aspirations quickly hit a wall after a distasteful comment about the Kent town resurfaced – leading him to withdraw his candidacy just four days after the launch of his campaign.

During the 2022 episode of his podcast For The Many, Iain said: ‘I have lived in Tunbridge Wells since 1997, slightly against my will.

Iain Dale has announced his return to Good Morning Britain after a mᴀssive career change and an emergency health scare (pictured in May 2021)

Iain Dale has announced his return to Good Morning Britain after a mᴀssive career change and an emergency health scare (pictured in May 2021)

The broadcaster, 62, announced the exciting news on X, formerly Twitter , on Wednesday

The broadcaster, 62, announced the exciting news on X, formerly Twitter , on Wednesday

‘I’ve never liked the place. Still don’t, and would happily live somewhere else.’

It is not the first time Iain suffered a political mishap – nine years ago, he lost the election when he stood as a Conservative candidate in North Norfolk.

Speaking to LBC’s Nick Ferrari last June, the presenter for the radio channel said he would be taking time ‘to reflect’ on matters after his comments on an episode of his For The Many podcast in 2022 came to light.

Iain claimed he ‘instantly recognised’ the problem posed by his statement, adding that he could not be sure he hadn’t said ‘something else’ that would be damaging.

When asked why he hadn’t decided to simply ‘tough it out’, he said: ‘Several people have said I should be doing that.

‘I decided on Wednesday evening that I would ask them not to put my name on the shortlist.

‘That was a decision I took. I could have gone to the selection meeting tomorrow. I could have done a ra ra ra speech and I could have won.

‘But what if they’ve got something else that I’ve said. I wasn’t willing to suffer death by a thousand cuts.’

The big announcement comes after a turbulent year for Iain, who went on to become a Conservative Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells after stepping down from his role at LBC radio in May

The big announcement comes after a turbulent year for Iain, who went on to become a Conservative Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells after stepping down from his role at LBC radio in May

In a lengthy post on X/Twitter, he thanked his supporters who helped him through a 'brutal 48 hours'

In a lengthy post on X/Twitter, he thanked his supporters who helped him through a ‘brutal 48 hours’

Read More Good Morning Britain regular is rushed to hospital after nasty accident on the London Underground article image

Following his withdrawal from the political race, Iain’s focus shifted to his health after he was rushed to A&E in July for emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder. 

He initially thought he was suffering from ‘a nasty bout of food poisoning,’ but his symptoms soon worsened and he realised his condition was more serious.

The GMB regular took to social media to update fans, praising the NHS for their exceptional care during his ordeal.

He wrote: ‘Firstly, thanks for all the good wishes. I went to A&E last night at 9pm with acute pain on the right hand side of my chest.

‘I am now in intensive care awaiting an operation to remove my gall bladder. Not ideal. 

Following his withdrawal from the political race, Iain¿s focus shifted to his health after he was rushed to A&E in July for emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder

Following his withdrawal from the political race, Iain’s focus shifted to his health after he was rushed to A&E in July for emergency surgery to remove his gallbladder

‘In fact, it’s a nightmare. NHS care at Tunbridge Wells hospital is so far outstanding.’

Iain joined LBC back in 2010 and the broadcaster’s career has seen him present two American presidential election programmes, four general election night shows, and the station’s Brexit referendum result programme.

He fronted the Evening Show on LBC Radio Mondays through to Thursdays from 7pm-10pm before quitting in May 2024.

As well as GMB, he is a regular contributor to Newsnight and Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine Show and a regular columnist for the Telegraph, Evening Standard and The I Paper.

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