Susanna Reid opens up about ‘toxic and horrible’ online abuse

The presenter also spoke about what it’s like to work with Piers Morgan

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Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid has spoken out about being targeted by online trolls.

The presenter described the abuse she receives online as "toxic and horrible" but said she doesn't allow it to discourage her.

In an interview with Mail On Sunday's You Magazine, she said: "The abuse is so toxic and horrible, but you can't be afraid of what people are going to say about you.

"Obviously, there are moments when I'm upset or I beat myself up about getting something wrong - and there are things that frighten me - but we do a good job and we enjoy what we do. I have moments of self-doubt, but I've been doing this a long time now."

The 50-year-old is frequently seen clashing with her controversial co-presenter Piers Morgan, who joined Good Morning Britain in 2015, and their sometimes tense relationship is a source of entertainment for many viewers.

Reid admitted that Morgan can be "difficult" but insisted he is a good colleague and she admires how he challenges interviewees, particularly during the pandemic.

She said: "Piers is someone who is good to work with. He is stimulating and can be a challenge and difficult, but he also pushes all the same buttons in me that he does people we interview.

"We have had a serious responsibility during Covid, because you want to make sure people are kept up to date with everything, but also you want people to feel hopeful. You want to spark debate."

Piers Morgan has been praised by many for holding the government to account over their handling of coronavirus, including grilling health minister Matt Hancock after he denied that ministers had ever considered a herd immunity strategy.

Morgan, who was formerly friends with Donald Trump, has attracted support from some unexpected corners during the pandemic.

Last week, Morgan publicly ended his friendship with Donald Trump, the day after his successor Joe Biden was sworn into office, saying he was “done” with the former politician.

“For people like me who liked Trump, who got on with him and known him for a long time, way longer before he was a politician and after, it was incredibly disappointing to see him lose his mind, lose any sense of leadership, and in the end actually inspire a riot against the heart of American democracy,” he said on Good Morning Britain.

“At that point, I was done. That’s it, sorry, I can’t be with someone like that.”