Fans were fuming
Good Morning Britain has come under fire from viewers after they sent their reporter Nick Dixon to report live from the seafront town of Largs during Storm Eowyn.
The storm battered the UK and Ireland on Friday morning with winds as high as 114mph recorded in some places and all 76 cities across the UK facing power cuts and travel disruption.
A rare red will be in effect across Northern Ireland until 14:00 GMT, while in parts of Scotland it will be in effect from 10am-5pm. A ‘danger to life’ warning is in place in parts of the country.
Despite the warnings, the presenter was sent to the location and could be seen struggling to stay still as winds swirled around him.
He began his report saying: “The wind really has intensified, particularly in the last 45 minutes. The gusts at time in excess of 70mph. As you say, still a couple of hours away from the red warning of 10am.”
Although Kate Garraway reassured viewers they had taken all safety precautions and followed advice, fans on X, weren’t impressed a string of ITV presenters had been sent to the frontline.
One fumed: “Why is Nick Dixon next to water out in a storm. That’s so irresponsible. When you’re telling people to stay in doors!!!”
A second said: “Ridiculous to have Nick Dixon reporting in that awful weather. Telling people to stay indoors and he has been sent to an area where there will be a red warning. Get him to safety NOW.”
A third said: “Danger to life warning and #gmb throw numerous reporters out into #StormÉowyn to get the best shots, where is the f*****g logic in that? unbelievable.”
Garraway did express her concern for her colleague as she said: “Goodness me, we can see how much you’re under pressure from those winds and the rain. The warning doesn’t even arrive until 10am, does it? are you ok?”
She also acknowledged the viewers comments and after attempting to go back to Dixon one last time, but were plagued with technical difficulties, she prompted him to ‘get inside’.