Viewers slam Piers Morgan’s replacement Alastair Campbell as he takes Good Morning Britain hot seat

Good Morning Britain viewers have been switching off this morning after being left frustrated by the temporary replacement for former host Piers Morgan.

Alastair Campbell, 63, will be guest presenting alongside Susanna Reid on ITV’s morning show until Wednesday.

The temporary move comes during Mental Health Awareness Week, a cause that Mr Campbell has been a staunch advocate of in recent years, owing to his own mental health struggles.

GMB viewers were quick to share their frustration this morning with Mr Campbell’s ‘stiff and ‘boring’ style of presenting. 

But Tony Blair’s former right hand man has already brushed off speculation he will be a permanent replacement for Piers Morgan, who left the show over a spat with ITV bosses after the Sussex’s bombshell Oprah interview in March.

Alastair Campbell, 63, cuts a serious figure as he makes his guest presenting debut on ITV’s Good Morning Britain

The former Labour spin doctor was guest presenting alongside longtime host Susanna Reid

The former Labour spin doctor was guest presenting alongside longtime host Susanna Reid

Many of those watching along this morning were quick to question the decision to put Mr Campbell in the hot seat following Piers Morgan’s departure from the show.

The shake-up of presenters on the morning news programme has already seen Alex Beresford, Ben Shephard and Adil Ray attempt to fill the void left by Mr Morgan, 55. 

But viewers were disappointed with this latest offering, with some left asking ‘awful’ Mr Campbell to speak up as they thought he was mumbling on his GMB debut.

Fiona Coulstock said: ‘Alastair Campbell is just awful, he is muttering. Can hardly tell what he is saying – not good viewing.

‘Susanna Reid is still brilliant, but give her a better co-presenter please!!!’

Celina Carney added: ‘What are ITV thinking!? After losing Piers Morgan they are turning as stiff and boring as the BBC.

‘As if Susanna isn’t dull enough on her own, they bring in another stuffed suit. GMB has had a complete personality bypass.’ 

Others said they were so disenchanted by Mr Campbell’s debut they were forced to switch over over to rival breakfast shows.

One viewer wrote: ‘Well that’s me done with GMB. I’m off to the dark side BBC.’ 

Viewers were less than impressed with the latest shake-up of presenters on GMB as viewing figures continue to fall in the wake of Piers Morgan's departure

Viewers were less than impressed with the latest shake-up of presenters on GMB as viewing figures continue to fall in the wake of Piers Morgan’s departure

Evelyn Erskine tweeted: ‘Tuned in out of curiosity then turned over to Sky, boring, GMB has had its day I’m afraid.’

@BequilaGirl added: ‘Just turned over to BBC. Can’t possibly watch this programme anymore.’

While another user wrote: ‘Really bad show. It has sunk to the lowest level thinkable. Time to take it off air.’ 

@viesvies1 said: ‘Switched on for the morning news… Switched off immediately after seeing Alastair Campbell hosting.’ 

Piers Morgan, 55, left Good Morning Britain amid a furious row with bosses over his comments on Meghan Markle's Oprah interview in March. He was pictured storming off the show midair

Piers Morgan, 55, left Good Morning Britain amid a furious row with bosses over his comments on Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview in March. He was pictured storming off the show midair

The popular outspoken presenter (left) is seen clashing with ITV's weatherman Alex Beresford (right) after saying he 'didn't believe a word' of Meghan's bombshell Oprah interview

The popular outspoken presenter (left) is seen clashing with ITV’s weatherman Alex Beresford (right) after saying he ‘didn’t believe a word’ of Meghan’s bombshell Oprah interview

Speaking on his appointment last month, Mr Campbell insisted he was ‘not the new Piers Morgan’.

Co-host Susanna Reid even revealed Mr Campbell was handed a list of banned words he wouldn’t be able to use by Good Morning Britain’s bosses before the show.

Mr Campbell is a prominent mental health campaigner who has spoken openly about his own struggles prior to his temporary appointment during Mental Health Awareness Week.

He previously worked as Tony Blair’s spokesman and campaign director, then as Downing Street Press Secretary and as the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman.

He later became Downing Street Director of Communications and spokesman for the Labour Party.

Viewers slammed the decision to put Mr Campbell in GMB's hot seat this morning, with many warning they will turn to rival channels as they described his performance as 'stiff and boring'

Viewers slammed the decision to put Mr Campbell in GMB’s hot seat this morning, with many warning they will turn to rival channels as they described his performance as ‘stiff and boring’

The left-wing journalist stepped in after Mr Morgan left Good Morning Britain on March 9 amid a row over comments he made regarding Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview. 

Ofcom said it had launched an investigation into his comments, as it emerged Meghan had made a formal complaint to the broadcasting regulator.

Mr Morgan had said on-air that he ‘didn’t believe a word’ of her interview with chat show host Oprah, when she laid bare claims of her struggles.

Those tuning in to GMB this morning were unimpressed with the 'awful' viewing and left amazed at ITV bosses' decision to turn to Mr Campbell as a guest presenter

Those tuning in to GMB this morning were unimpressed with the ‘awful’ viewing and left amazed at ITV bosses’ decision to turn to Mr Campbell as a guest presenter

His shock departure from GMB sparked outrage across the world, as stars such as Sharon Osbourne were quick to defend him and a petition to see him reinstated reached more than 360,000 signatures. 

There is fierce competition for a permanent presenter to fill Mr Morgan’s slot, with veteran host Richard Madeley recently touted as the favourite. 

GMB was hemorrhaging viewers in the wake of Mr Morgan leaving the show – with ITV losing nearly 40 per cent of its audience in the weeks following his exit. 

Tony Blair's former spin doctor tweeted his excitement at appearing alongside Susanna Reid on GMB this week

Tony Blair’s former spin doctor tweeted his excitement at appearing alongside Susanna Reid on GMB this week

Speaking on his sacking, Mr Morgan tweeted at the time: ‘On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. 

‘I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t. If you did, OK.

‘Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. 

‘Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions.’ 

An ITV spokesperson responded: ‘Following discussions with ITV, Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain.