Andi Peters applauds ITV for ‘getting more black faces’ on TV as he steps in to present Lorraine

Host is covering Lorraine Kelly for two weeks

Andi Peters (Getty Images)

Andi Peters has praised ITV for “getting more black faces on television” as he takes over from Lorraine Kelly for two weeks.

Kelly is taking a fortnight off from hosting her show, Lorraine, while she has a summer holiday.

Responding to news that he would be covering for Kelly, Peters – who presents the competition segment on Good Morning Britain – said: "It’s great they have asked me to do it. I’m chuffed.

“It’s a real break from tradition and it's a great statement from the channel about getting more black faces on television in lead roles as opposed to support roles, which is really important and we mustn’t shy away from that fact.”

Peters is set to step in at the helm of Lorraine for two weeks from Monday 10 August Friday 21 August. He is the first man to guest-host the show in its 10-year history.

ITV’s two biggest breakfast shows – This Morning and Good Morning Britain – are fronted by white presenters.

Last month, the broadcaster announced its Diversity Acceleration Plan, which aims to speed up change in diversity and inclusion on screen and across ITV by creating more opportunities for those from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and other underrepresented groups.