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Privacy NoticeGood Morning Britain has left viewers in awe with its touching interview between host Ed Balls and Gareth Gates, with many becoming “emotional” after watching the pair’s frank discussion about their stammers. Pop Idol star Gareth Gates stopped by the GMB sofa on Tuesday 9 July to speak about inspiring others with stammers – including Ed Balls, who opened up about his own on the show last December. The conversation saw Gareth reveal that finishing the sentences of those with a stammer isn’t as helpful as some would expect. Co-host Susanna Reid said: “One of the things that people who don’t have a stammer think is that it can help you out if we can intervene and I have learnt that that is not the way to have a conversation. That if there is evidence of a stammer or a moment or a pause, for anyone who doesn’t have it just to stop.”
Ed Balls spoke to Gareth Gates on GMB back in December and became emotional chatting about his own stammer
Gareth Gates appeared on Good Morning Britain to chat about his stammer
Gareth added: “It can be very frustrating if you finish a sentence that I’m trying to say and it’s the wrong thing. It’s like, ‘No, I’m not trying to say that!’ So for advice, just be patient and if you are patient, just accepting them for who they are and giving them the space that they need.” Meanwhile, Ed went onto say that Susanna has adjusted her presenting style for his stammer. “Between me and Susanna, every now and then I will have a bit of a block. It’s momentary but I know that you now know that when that happens, you just wait and then we carry on,” he said. “The instinct is, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s in trouble, shall I jump in?’ and that ends up being destabilising. Susanna’s brilliant at it because she can see it and read it and that’s what teachers need to do, it’s what mums and dads learn to do. It’s what we all need.” Gareth added: “Yes absolutely and I always like to mention my speech. The more that we spread it, the more people are aware of it and give people more time.” Fans quickly took to social media to comment on the “emotional” interview, with one writing: “@GMB so powerful to hear personal stories such as yours @Gareth_Gates @edballs what an inspiration to all. #inspirational.”
GMB fans praised the interview segment – and called for Gareth Gates to feature more on the show
(Image: ITV)
Another wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Lovely to see Gareth Gates on GMB this morning, he is a lovely man and an inspiration to everyone not just with a stammer, but showing that being proud of who you are is so important. I wish him well for his upcoming tour and all that he does next xx #gmb.” Other fans called for Gareth to feature on the show more, with one writing: “@edballs @Gareth_Gates can we have you on the sofa together every week #inspirational and emotional @GMB,” while another wrote: “Y don’t #gmb offer Gareth Gates a presenting job to see how he gets on?” Another touched fan wrote: “That interview you have just done on @GMB, was inspiring and was a shining light this morning, it opened my eyes up this morning and I have learnt a bit about Stammering. You’ve inspired me to learn more about Stammering. You did amazing this morning. @Gareth_Gates.” At the start of the segment, Susanna featured a clip from Gareth’s previous interview in December, in which Ed was seen becoming emotional as he opened up about his own stammer. The moment led to Ed and Gareth sharing a warm hug. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnGood Morning BritainGareth Gates
