Good Morning Britain returned to ITV on Tuesday (September 1) with presenters Ed Balls and Susanna Reid back in the studio after their summer break. The duo covered a range of stories, including the early prison release scheme, an interview with residents who saved a local wildlife haven, and the news that a jury had found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur – the only person ever charged over the fatal Las Vegas shooting.

But as the show got underway, viewers were quickly distracted by Ed's new appearance. The 59-year-old former politician had grown a goatee, and Susanna didn't hold back when she introduced him on air.

"Good Morning Britain, it's just gone 6 o'clock, and it's good to be back. I have my clothes back on after a summer trip to Ibiza," she said, before turning to her co-star. "But who are you and what have you done with Ed Balls?!"

Ed replied: "Well, it is the same me." Susanna continued: "But you look completely different!" She added: "The goatee adds a certain je ne sais quoi. I would say it takes 10 years off you."

Weather presenter Alex Beresford also chimed in: "I'm loving the goatee. I think it really suits you and are they new glasses as well? I love this whole new look that you've got going on." Ed joked that he had been modelling himself on Alex, insisting he was "all the same" despite the facial hair.

Viewers, however, shared mixed opinions on social media. One person wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "Omg what the hell does Ed look like." Another asked: "What has [Ed] got on his chin?" while a third said: "What's with [Ed] and his new look?"

Some fans also expressed broader discontent with the programme. One viewer posted: "Sometimes watch @GMB it's like patchwork show. It's like the Presenters are NOT professional and don't remain neutral on certain topics or people. Good job we have access to social media and don't rely on @GMB for proper News or facts."

Another admitted to switching off: "#GMB When a programme's already hit the buffers, what's left? Are we back in kindergarten? Can we have a bit of professionalism. No, don't think that's going to happen. Time to switch to @BBCBreakfast."

A third fan criticised the show's coverage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex: "Here we go again with @GMB attacking Prince Harry and Meghan. IT'S funny how they won't mention King Charles and Camilla sister on Royal payroll @susannareid100 @edballs."

Later, Susanna posted a selfie of herself and Ed back in the studio on Instagram, captioned: "BACK! In the studio - but who is this and what has he done with @edballs?!"

The on-air banter comes after the recent departure of a GMB presenter. Last week, journalist Lois Swinnerton, who also appears on ITV News Central, announced she is stepping back from the show. Sharing an update on Instagram, she said she was taking a "few months off" for her "personal life", posting a photo from inside the ITV studios with the caption: "Saying bye for no[w]..."