Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley’s new breakfast show, Daybreak, began on ITV1 this morning with former British Prime Minister Tony dropping in to be quizzed by the pair.
Blair is promoting his new book 'A Journey' and the interview is his first live interview in the UK. Last Friday night he appeared live with Ryan Tubridy on 'The Late Late Show'.
The former 'One Show' hosts opened the show from their new Southbank studio in London and they take over the television slot which has been occupied by GMTV for the last 17 years.
The new show is not a complete departure from its predecessor with some familiar faces including Kate Garraway, John Stapleton and Dr Hilary Jones set to appear regularly alongside the new presenters. RTÉ’s Gráinne Seoige will also be part of the new team and Lorraine Kelly will continue to host her own show daily from 8.30am to 9.25am.
Commenting on their new studio this morning Chiles said: "It is extremely big, I have worked in some right little shoe cupboards in my time."
The Press Association reports that this morning’s show featured items on the plight of victims of the Farepak Christmas hamper firm collapse who have still not received compensation, cutbacks to the schools building programme, and the diabetes drug Avandia.
It also included a light-hearted feature where a child dubbed ‘Mini Driver’ tested a racing car. "Don't worry about running the cameramen over, there is plenty more where they came from," Chiles joked to the child.
The programme also a hospital in Scotland to meet parents of newborn babies, coinciding with the birthday of the programme.
Scotland correspondent Greg Easteal asked the father of a newborn baby called Max if he was willing to change his name to Adrian. "I don't suppose we can get you to change little Max's name to Adrian, can we?"
"Absolutely no chance," was the father's reaction.
