Ed Balls' GMB salary exposed as viewers demand he's axed in Labour 'bias' row

GMB: Ed Balls chats with pub owner Michael Westwood

Susanna Reid has been a familiar face on Good Morning Britain since its inception in April 2014, where she made a significant impact as the show's first host. With a commanding presence and a talent for engaging discussions, Susanna has become a staple of daytime television.

Prior to her new contract signed in November 2021, she garnered a reported annual salary of £750,000 for her role. However, after renegotiating her deal, the 54-year-old presenter now earns an impressive £1.1million a year, making her one of the highest-paid figures on the program, surpassing the earnings of her fellow co-hosts, including Ed Balls.

While Ed Balls' exact salary from ITV remains undisclosed, he is believed to have a net worth estimated between £2.4million and £4.1million.

Before transitioning to a role in television, Ed was widely recognized for his service as the Secretary of State for Children, Schools, and Families from 2007 to 2010 during the tenure of the former Labour government, where he was instrumental in shaping education policy.

In a recent episode, Ed faced a wave of criticism from Good Morning Britain viewers after a contentious debate with pub landlord Michael Westwood. The discussion revolved around a petition advocating for a general election.

READ MORE Ed Balls sparks GMB ‘bias’ row as he grills pub landlord over election petition

Ed Balls has a seven figure net worth. (Image: Getty)

The businessman appeared alongside presenter Balls and journalist Susanna Reid to delve into his trending petition and the response from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, which has been fueled by an increasing wave of signatures.

As the conversation unfolded, it rapidly transformed into a tense interrogation, with the former politician pressing Westwood on his associations with the Conservative Party.

During the heated exchange, the landlord passionately asserted: “The current Government told a pack of lies to gain power, and I firmly believe they should not be allowed to simply sit back and dismiss the situation, saying, ‘too many people, I don’t care.’ How is that fair?”

In the wake of the discussion, viewers took to social media platforms, expressing their discontent and arguing that Balls, a former Labour frontbencher and spouse to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, should not have been part of this particular dialogue.

Keir Starmer has been put under pressure to call another election. (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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In response, one viewer wrote on the X social media platform: "Why is Ed Balls allowed to debate the petition? He’s clearly biased.

Another fan argued: "@ITV Ed should NOT be a presenter on here as he is married to a member of the Cabinet and is clearly biased!"

A fuming social media user raged: "Can Ed Balls just shut up and let the man speak? We all know how biased he is, married to a member of the Government. He should also stop smirking."

And someone else stated: "Watching Ed Balls try to be neutral makes me feel sick. He is married to the Home Secretary for goodness sake."

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Balls asked Westwood on the show: "Who decides when it's okay to break a promise and not to do so other than the voters in a general election? Should that be decided by the courts, you, petition, or general elections?”

The pub owner responded: “I’m not a politician; I never claimed to be a politician.”

But Balls hit back by saying: “But you’re having a big political impact; it's a great debate; I’m just wondering who do you think should decide?”

Westwood replied: “We’ll see because there’s no way we’re getting a general election."

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Ed has come under fire for political 'bias' (Image: Getty)

However, Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out calling a general election after a petition calling for another vote was signed by more than two million people.

“I would like another general election,” the petition reads.

“I believe the current Labour government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead-up to the last election.”

Ed Balls' GMB salary exposed as viewers demand he's axed in Labour 'bias' row

Ed Balls' GMB salary exposed as viewers demand he's axed in Labour 'bias' row

Ed Balls' GMB salary exposed as viewers demand he's axed in Labour 'bias' row

Ed Balls' GMB salary exposed as viewers demand he's axed in Labour 'bias' row

Ed Balls' GMB salary exposed as viewers demand he's axed in Labour 'bias' row