Yvette Cooper’s bombshell GMB statement proves why Ed Balls needs to quit

It really came as no surprise when Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, declared Good Morning Britain was her morning show of choice, given her husband Ed Balls is one of the hosts of the ITV staple. Asked in an interview to pick her favourite breakfast show, Cooper awkwardly giggled: "I'm going to have to say GMB, because otherwise I would be in real trouble when I get home." Her husband later described her response as a "bit grudging" as his colleagues laughed heartily at the clip. He was clearly embarrassed, and no one in the studio could hide their amusement. This must surely be the last straw for Balls.

Since his wife's appointment to the cabinet, he has been in the ludicrous position of being unable to interview her party colleagues on the news show, which is pretty difficult since they appear on it several times a week. In instances where he has conducted the chats he has been plagued by accusations of Labour bias by viewers who have made their feelings known on social media.

The couple previously faced significant backlash and over 8,000 Ofcom complaints after an interview regarding the 2024 riots.

While some viewers labelled the chat biased, the regulator declined to investigate, noting that their relationship was made clear to the audience and that other presenters led the questioning.

While they dodged a bullet in t hat instance the fact Balls is himself a former Labour MP would be cause for concern anyway. The ongoing links to the party in his own family home mean his integrity is completely questionable.

For her part Cooper looked supremely awkward when she was asked the question - perhaps because she prefers a different show or it could be simply because she realised it would further highlight their connection.

ITV appear to have buried its head in the sand about Balls' connections, but the fact is his marriage and Labour history constantly overshadow his presenting.

It is impossible to take him seriously anytime there is a political discussion, as his leanings are so publicly known. He cannot be impartial, and that is the first rule of political broadcasting.

This is no reflection on his presenting skills - which would be a whole other opinion piece - but rather on his integrity and that of the show. If co-host Susanna Reid began dating a senior political figure, and similar issues would be raised.

This latest incident proved how thin the joke has worn. Even his colleagues can't take it seriously anymore, and therefore, it is time for him to go.