Good Morning Britain viewers have been left confused after a regular stalwart of the show was nowhere to be seen.

The ITV morning show returned to our screens once again on Thursday (June 6) for a special edition of the programme. It came as the UK marked 80 years since the famous D-Day landings, where British, American and Canadian troops carried out the beginnings of liberation in France during World War II.

As a way to pay respect to the veterans who were present for the commemorations, the show came live from Normandy ahead of official events to mark the important occasion. However, a team remained in London in order to cover other important news and interviews.

Leading the way for the team was Kate Garraway, 56, who had recently returned to the show following the death of her husband Derek Draper, also 56. In London, news coverage was led by Charlotte Hawkins, 49, and former politician Ed Balls, 57.

Kate Garraway hosted Good Morning Britain’s coverage of D-Day commemorations (Image: ITV)

During her time on the show, Kate gave viewers a sombre tour of the remembrance grounds in France, including a specifically-commissioned British section that – when viewed from above – created the Union Flag. She also spoke to organisers from the events, as well as veteran John Life, who broke down in tears at the thought of being called a “hero”.

However, viewers watching the show were quick to point out that regular present Susanna Reid was nowhere to be seen, leading to questions on where she had gone. Reid, 53, would typically go on to host similar editions of the show, marking important days in British history and remembrance.

Many fans believed it should have been Susanna leading their coverage (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Some fans of the show were not happy at Susanna’s absence on such a pinnacle day for the British public, taking to social media to make their views heard. One viewer penned: “Why is Kate Garraway here? Where’s Susanna?”

A second account fumed: “Susanna is there on a Thursday if it’s a ‘big news’ story, but not on D-Day? Not a good look, is it?”

Whilst a third fan asked: “Am I right in saying that Kate’s the wrong person out there? She’s got so much s**t on her mind, it’s a little awkward.”

Veteran John Life paid tribute to Kate’s late husband Derek in an emotional moment (Image: ITV)
Following her chat with the veteran, she recalled how after the interview had ended, he asked her how she was doing following the death of her husband. She admitted she was incredibly touched, but that the focus was on him, as otherwise “there would be no Derek”.

“One of the first things he shared was, ‘I’m so sorry for your loss’, to me about the passing of Derek, my husband,” she explained. “And the idea that he knew that and thought of that with all he’d been through, I just said to him, ‘There would have been no Derek, there would have been no me, there would have been no any of our lives without what you did.'”