An ITV newsreader has addressed his health in a social media post after sparking concerns from fans following his appearance during a live news report.
Journalist Paul Brand, who has guest presented on Good Morning Britain in 2022 with Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh, spoke out after presentive ITV’s News at Ten on Monday.
He had been presenting the news as usual when one fan, @htbuk1992, wrote on X: ‘Has Paul Brand had an allergic reaction / hayfever reaction in his right eye?’
Paul, 40, later took to Instagram to share an update, reassuring fans about his health.
Sharing a selfie, he said: ‘For those asking, the dodgy eye is just a product of a toddler’s grubby fingers.
‘Hopefully less red tomorrow.’
In another pic posted in the afternoon, he added: ‘Eye slightly less weird today.’
Paul has been the UK editor of ITV news since 2021, having started his career with the broadcaster in 2008 as a production journalist at ITV Wales.
He joined ITV News in 2016 as a political correspondent, leading him to present occasional segments on Good Morning Britain.
In 2022, he took over from Julie Etchingham as the presenter of ITV’s weekly current affairs programme Tonight, saying at the time: ‘To present a show previously fronted by two titans of broadcasting – Julie Etchingham and Sir Trevor McDonald – is a huge honour.
‘Having reported for the Tonight programme in the past, I have already had the pleasure of working with many of the enormously talented team behind Britain’s most-watched weekly current affairs programme.
‘I am delighted to be making this a weekly commitment, alongside my role as UK Editor for ITV News.’
The journalist is married to civil servant Joe Cuddeford, and the couple share a son together.
He previously called it ‘difficult’ to balance fatherhood with his demanding career, telling Attitude: ‘My son’s the absolute joy of my life. But because my job’s unpredictable and I have to follow news, I don’t always know what time I’m going to be home.
‘I’m lucky I have such a supportive husband who has an amazing career of his own, but his job is more predictable, so he’s able to help me out when I’m having a crazy period.’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1.
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