[AaronTV]

Well this shows once again the problem when you build your show around a certain collection of hosts - flexibility is needed.

I may sound cold, but I feel GMB could have continued with their two hour special, and simply added little announcements before each hour if they had to, and I am sure Kate would have been fine with it.

I know how it is to have family members seriously ill - I have been there, even myself, I was in hospital in 2017 near to death, I know what she must be feeling now, so I am not cold hearted here.

If the original show was recorded prior to the very sad change in Derek’s condition, Kate presumably would have been her usual bubbly self and the show would have had an upbeat, cheery Christmassy tone as it does each year.

The idea that you could simply just press on and air that anyway, whilst Derek’s circumstances have become common knowledge in the two weeks since it was recorded, would be hugely insensitive and I for one am glad ITV did not.

Given that everyone knows how serious Derek’s condition is, the whole thing would come across as really quite strange for Christmas Day, with no way of acknowledging the change in Derek’s condition since recording it.

Even if you emphasised several times that the program is pre-recorded, poor Kate would most likely get a huge amount of unfounded criticism by appearing to not be with Derek - so clearly there is a duty of care aspect to the decision too with today’s social media climate in mind.

In all, far kinder and more respectful of Kate and her family to do what they did.