SUSANNA Reid was forced to issue a stark apology after a war reporter flipped the finger live on Good Morning Britain.
Just over an hour into Monday’s ITV daytime series – which saw the anchor return to screen after a half-term break – she called out the “offensive gesture”.
It came as Susanna, 54, was speaking to veteran journalist John Sweeney in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
He was being interviewed from a live video, wearing his “lucky” orange beanie hat, after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky told how he would resign if it would foster a peace deal amid the country’s war with Russia.
His remark came as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s Russia held peace talks without Kyiv at the table.
Zelensky’s remarks and vow – which he made in return for a guarantee of Nato membership – came after Trump branded him a “dictator” for not holding an election during the war.
On GMB today, reporter John discussed the weekend updates – which also saw Putin blitz Ukraine with 267 drones in the biggest-ever bombardment on the eve of the war’s third anniversary.
A separate screen then panned to injured Ukrainian soldiers in a clinic, who were seen trying out new prosthetic limbs in a rehab session after being injured in the conflict.
Susanna’s co-host Richard Madeley then asked him “how shocked” the people of Ukraine were about Trump’s change in attitude towards the country.
John condemned Trump’s remarks as “disgusting” and continued to talk about the “titanium clinic” – which fits soldiers with bionic limbs – for recovery.
He continued: “There’s a bloke there that has lost both arms and one leg and so he’s got two plastic hands.
“And I said what do you think about Trump?” before he said: “I don’t want to swear.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Moment EastEnders star Richard Blackwood leaves GMB host Susanna Reid stunned as he reveals ‘real age'” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367432669112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]He added: “The Ukrainians have done some technology that the muscles in the stump in his arm can now control this thing [the hand.]
“And it’s slow and he’s learning, but he said ‘wait wait wait’ and he gave Putin the finger.
“And it made me cry.”
Susanna said: “Oh,” before gaining composure and said: “I understand that you felt, personally, the power of that.
“We do have to apologise for that gesture on breakfast TV.
“It is still considered a highly offensive gesture John, and of course there are children watching.”
John then replied: “I am very sorry Susanna.
“I am an old war reporter – and sometimes I forget where I am.”
Richard then added: “Well, you’ve apologised now,” as they continued to chat.
John told how former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had just arrived – as the camera swirled around to capture the ex Tory MP.
He then told how he would try to get an interview with him before GMB wrapped for the day.
Those watching at home were left divided at Susanna’s scolding.
One took to X to muse: “Did I miss an unfortunate hand gesture?”
A second put: “Prim & proper Susanna Reid tells off John Sweeney over a Ukrainian soldier who had lost multiple limbs in the war for using his prosthetic hand to make a ‘finger gesture’.”
A third commented: “Show men with arms and legs blown off and describe that in detail, show the devastation caused by war but DO NOT under any circumstances , show the bird, there are children watching. They can handle people being blown up but no hurty hand signs.”
Another wrote: “@johnsweeneyroar giving the finger on #GMB
Brilliant, John.”
Another posted: “Absolutely hysterical and totally warranted.”
