Alastair Campbell: who is the new presenter on Good Morning Britain - and is he Piers Morgan's replacement?

Following Piers Morgan’s sudden departure from morning talk show Good Morning Britain in March, the programme is yet to announce a permanent replacement host.

The latest to step into the hot seat is Alastair Campbell as he fills in during Mental Health Awareness week.

This is everything you need to know.

Why wasn’t Adil Ray on Good Morning Britain this morning?

Following Piers Morgan's exit in March, Adil Ray is just one of a group of rotating presenters who has taken up the reins alongside Susanna Reid - however, viewers were confused to find Ray not on their televisions this morning.

Ray will return to the GMB programming, so fans need not to worry. It was announced in April that Campbell would be a guest host on GMB from 10 May to 12 May.

On Sunday (9 May) evening, Ray Tweeted out in support of Campbell prior to his appearance on the morning show.

He wrote: “Not @gmb this week but what a week for @campbellclaret to join @susannareid100. Very important Mental Health Awareness Week and the future health of the Labour Party top of the agenda too. Great timing, good luck Alistair. I’ll be back in on 17th.”

Addressing Campbell, Ray Tweeted: “Enjoy it, drink lots of tea, trust the team and don’t look at @twitter!”

Who is Alastair Campbell?

Alistair Campbell is a British journalist and former spokesperson for ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair. He worked as the Downing Street Director of Communications and spokesperson for the Labour Party from 2000 to 2003, and returned as campaign director for Blair’s third election win in 2005.

As a journalist, Campbell joined the Mirror in 1982 before taking on the role as news editor for Today in the mid 80s. He eventually returned to the Mirror, where he rose to the position of political editor and became the paper’s chief political columnist.

Once again he worked for Today, under new ownership, in 1994 before he was asked to become press secretary for Tony Blair.

Campbell has written a number of books over the years, including The Blair Years, Saturday Bloody Saturday and Living Better. He has also made several documentaries regarding his battles with mental health.

Currently, Campbell works as a consultant strategist and ambassador for Time to Change, which is a mental health campaign launched in 2007. He also writes a monthly interview for GQ magazine, covering figures such as Prince William, Nicola Sturgeon and Al Gore.

When it was announced that Campbell would be appearing on GMB, Neil Thompson, editor of Good Morning Britain, said: “We look forward to welcoming Alastair as a guest presenter on the GMB desk this May.

“He of course has a huge appetite for the world of politics and hard hitting news but we’ve also seen his vulnerable side, such as his personal struggles with mental ill health.”

Is Alastair Campbell Piers Morgan's replacement?

While there has been speculation that Campbell could be Morgan’s replacement, he shut down those rumours prior to his appearance.

In April, Campbell Tweeted: “So weird to be wearing suit and tie. Been in at @GMB checking the presenter chair and seeing if I can cope with the tech! And no I am NOT the new @piersmorgan BUT I will be presenting alongside @susannareid100 May 10-12 thru Mental Health Awareness Week.

“In addition to usual news, views and interviews hoping to draw attention to [Mental Health] Issues which GMB have long championed. But also keen to get stuck in on all the big political stories post May 6 elections. No piano! Wish I’d been on this a.m! #johnlewisnightmare #Nolan #wallpaper.”

Since Morgan’s departure, other presenters have been stepping in the fill the gap, including Adil Ray, Alex Beresford and Ben Shepard, however a permanent replacement is yet to be appointed.