RICHARD Madeley enjoyed a cheeky glass of white wine outside a restaurant in London yesterday afternoon – but was then interrupted by a group of female fans.
The telly favourite, 62, left wife Judy Finnigan at home as he sipped his pinot and at a packet of crisps.
However, Richard’s peace and quiet didn’t last long, when a group of three attractive women surrounded him and tried to strike up a conversation.
Richard’s solo outing comes after The Sun revealed he is joining the Good Morning Britain team permanently after ratings surged when he appeared on the show.
Richard had a lunch meeting at The Ivy, central London, two weeks ago with GMB boss Neil Thompson and Head of ITV Daytime Emma Gormley to agree terms.
It comes weeks after his interview with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson went viral, with Richard cutting the minister off for failing to give a straight answer.
The star, famed for the Richard and Judy show with wife Judy Finnigan in the 90s, will join regulars Piers, Susanna Reid, Ben Shephard, Charlotte Hawkins and Kate Garraway.
A studio source said: “Richard polls really well with viewers, and also garners a big social media response whenever he’s on.
“Both ITV and Richard are keen for him to become a regular member of the GMB family.
“He’ll be Piers Morgan’s regular stand-in during his fairly regular holidays, and do one day every couple of weeks.
“Viewers love how renegade Richard is.”
Good Morning Britain has been closing the gap on its BBC Breakfast rival and is up 12 per cent on viewing figures from last year.
“A post-England game edition, Good Evening Britain, made headlines on Thursday night when guest Danny Dyer twice called ex-Prime Minister David Cameron a t**t over Brexit.
Richard married wife Judy in 1986, and they have two kids together – Chloe and Jack.
