Susanna Reid defended Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield amid false accusations they jumped the queue to see the Queen.
The pair were filming a segment for ITV's This Morning of the Queen's lying in state and were attending as members of the press, meaning they did not have to join the queue, which stretched to a 24 hour wait at one point. However, them being allowed to enter the Hall for the lying in state this way sparked huge backlash from ITV viewers, who claimed it was unfair.
Susanna, meanwhile, queued seven hours to see the monarch with her elderly mother, and as Mel B appeared on Good Morning Britain today, she asked the presenter what the experience was like for her.
As she explained she felt it was her duty to do so, Mel referenced the seven hours she waited and praised her for joining the queue like everyone else. She then quipped: "No queue jumping for you," obviously referencing what happened with Holly and Phil.
Susanna quickly stepped in and said: "Well some people have to work!" before the chat soon wrapped up.
Over the weekend, ITV issued a statement to deny Holly and Phil had skipped the queue or had VIP treatment.
"Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something. We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme. They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state - but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event," the full statement from ITV read.
Meanwhile, Susanna previously opened up about her own experience in the queue, describing it as a huge "privilege".
"It's an enormous privilege to have been able to have done that, to pay our respects. Whether you are religious or not, a royalist or not, it feels like a sort of pilgrimage, and a historic moment, a historic opportunity," she said yesterday.
Her co-host Ben added: "It’s huge commitment, when we were talking and you were in the queue for seven hours and 20 minutes in total with your mum and a friend. When you do anything like that, and endeavour, because it really is an endeavour to stay that long for this moment, you can understand why, for some, they are overwhelmed with emotion."
In response, she then shared of her pride at her mum, at the age of 81, queuing for so long too, as she added: "When I was in the queue, young children, patiently and uncomplainingly stood for hours. I was so proud of my mum at 81 queuing with me."
