Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid has revealed that she makes her children watch BBC News, believing it is essential for their education.
The revelation came during a discussion about the future of the TV licence fee, where she playfully admitted to enforcing the nightly news routine on her three sons.
Susanna’s News-Watching Rule for Her Children
During the debate with her co-host Richard Madeley and media commentators Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire,
Andrew speculated that Susanna’s children likely did not watch BBC television. In response, Susanna set the record straight with a humorous admission.
“I force them to watch the 10 o’clock news every night, Andrew,” she confessed. “I say, ‘For your education, you must sit down,’” she added with a laugh.
Her response sparked amusement among her colleagues, with Kevin Maguire jokingly suggesting that while her children may not typically tune in to BBC programming, they likely watched Strictly Come Dancing when she competed.
Confirming his assumption, Susanna acknowledged that her children had indeed watched her appearance on the dance show back in 2013. She was partnered with professional dancer Kevin Clifton and made it all the way to the final, finishing as the runner-up to Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec.
A Debate Over the Licence Fee
The discussion about the TV licence fee brought up varying viewpoints, with Susanna acknowledging the importance of both advertising-funded television, like ITV, and publicly funded networks like the BBC. She diplomatically described herself as “firmly on the fence” regarding the issue.
The conversation also led to a humorous blunder from Richard Madeley, who attempted to compare the TV licence fee to other subscription-based services.
“I don’t want to pay for Netflix or Sky, but I have to,” he stated.
Susanna was quick to correct him, pointing out: “No, you don’t have to. You absolutely don’t have to pay for Netflix.”
Realizing his mistake, Richard conceded, laughing, “Well, I choose to.”
Balancing Motherhood and Career
Beyond her role as a news presenter, Susanna is a devoted mother to three sons—Sam, 21, Finn, 20, and Jack, 19—whom she shares with her ex-partner Dominic Cotton. While her career keeps her busy, she remains deeply committed to spending quality time with her children.
In December last year, she opened up about her struggle with “empty nest syndrome” as her youngest son prepared to leave home.
“You cry your heart out because all that regular time with your children has gone,” she admitted.
With all three of her sons moving toward independence, Susanna expressed a renewed focus on cherishing their remaining time together. She explained that, despite career opportunities, she was not taking on additional commitments beyond Good Morning Britain.
“Good Morning Britain is my biggest commitment, and I’m not taking on anything extra,” she told The Mirror.
A Lighthearted Look at Parenting and News Consumption
Susanna’s candid confession about forcing her children to watch BBC News offers a relatable glimpse into her parenting style—one that values education, structure, and staying informed. While her sons may not always appreciate being made to watch the news, it’s clear that their mother sees it as an important part of their upbringing.
Her lighthearted approach to the discussion, paired with the humorous banter between her colleagues, made for an engaging and entertaining moment on Good Morning Britain. Whether or not her children continue the habit as they grow older remains to be seen, but for now, Susanna is making sure they stay informed—one 10 o’clock bulletin at a time.
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