Emotional Interview on Good Morning Britain: Ed Balls and Gareth Gates Reflect on Stammering Struggles

Good Morning Britain presenter Ed Balls recently shared a deeply emotional moment with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates as they reflected on their shared experiences of living with a stammer. The heartfelt interview touched viewers and highlighted the challenges and triumphs both men have faced.

In a flashback segment aired on Tuesday (July 9), Ed Balls was seen with tears in his eyes as he spoke with Gareth Gates about their struggles with stammering. The two men embraced on live television, creating a poignant moment that left co-host Susanna Reid visibly moved and proud, told Mirror.

In the flashback segment, Ed Balls expressed his admiration for Gareth, saying, “You inspired me. I thought, ‘If Gareth Gates can do this, I can too. And if he can be public, I can be public too. It was really hard, but I did it because you showed me how to do it.”

Gareth, visibly touched, replied, “Thank you for saying that, it means a lot. God bless you, man.” Ed, overcome with emotion, nodded as Susanna Reid began speaking, her voice filled with compassion. She placed a comforting hand on Ed’s shoulder and suggested, “Aww! I feel like… can we have a hug?”

Susanna reassured both men, saying, “Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s to be proud of – it’s part of your identity, isn’t it? [Gareth] broke the ground for you, didn’t he, Ed? There we go, Gareth, that’s what you did.”

Gareth, also emotional, told Ed, “You’re a role model for me now! For you to be doing this is really incredible.”

Although the original segment aired in November 2023, Gareth returned to the program this week to discuss his stammer with Ed. During their conversation, Ed revealed, “I had a call a few weeks ago from the newly elected mayor of North Yorkshire, David Skaith, who’s had a stammer all his life.

“His stammer came out during his first interview, and I said to him, ‘Look at Gareth, you’ve got to talk about it’. He’s in Downing Street this morning with a stammer, and he is going to be another role model for young people.

“You can become an elected mayor with a stammer. You can be a Pop Idol winner or the winner of Celebrity SAS. All of these things are possible with a stammer!” Ed concluded, as Gareth added, “You can also present every morning live on television, Ed, and I applaud you too!”

Ed admitted that he relies on the autocue to help manage his stammer, sharing that he’s “almost always” okay. This touching segment not only highlighted the struggles and achievements of Ed and Gareth but also served as an inspiration to many who face similar challenges.