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Susanna Reid would 'wake up screaming' from nightmares caused by coronavirus anxiety

Susanna Reid continues to be a staple of morning television as she heads up <em>Good Morning Britain</em> alongside the ever-divisive Piers Morgan. This year also saw Reid split from Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish after dating for nine months, with the TV presenter <a href="https://uk.news.yahoo.com/lets-not-dwell-im-fine-susanna-reid-forced-open-steve-parish-split-live-air-082409926.html">addressing the break up on GMB</a>. (Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Susanna Reid continues to be a staple of morning television as she heads up Good Morning Britain alongside the ever-divisive Piers Morgan (Lia Toby/Getty Images)

Susanna Reid has revealed anxiety caused by the coronavirus led to her having nightmares which left her “waking up screaming”.

The pandemic has been a near constant topic in the media since March, and Reid says her job as co-presenter on Good Morning Britain meant it was on her mind constantly.

Speaking to The Telegraphs’ Stella Magazine, the 49-year-old said: “It was an anxious time for everybody, but those early days were very frightening.

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“I started to have really vivid, terrifying nightmares where I would wake up screaming and crying even though I couldn’t quite remember what the nightmares were.”

As well as the virus overtaking her professional life, it also impacted elsewhere.

In March, she was forced to self-isolate after a family member showed COVID-19 symptoms.

Piers Morgan hosts 'Good Morning Britain' with Susanna Reid. (ITV)
Piers Morgan hosts 'Good Morning Britain' with Susanna Reid. (ITV)

She wrote on Twitter at the time: “I am currently well but due to the new advice today I will be self-isolating for two weeks due to symptoms in my household. Stay well everyone.”

Piers Morgan, her co-presenter on GMB, was also forced to self-isolate in May after showing symptoms, though a COVID test later came back negative.

Reid and Morgan have been active in warning their viewers of the dangers of COVID-19, with Morgan in particular being a strong critic of the government and its handling of the crisis.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 10:  Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid arrive at the TRIC Awards 2020 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on March 10, 2020 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid arrive at the TRIC Awards 2020 at The Grosvenor House Hotel on March 10, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Over 600 viewers complained to telly watchdog Ofcom after a barbed GMB exchange between Morgan and care minister Helen Whately which saw some critics brand the presenter a bully.

His combative interviews with politicians have divided opinion, with many praising the 55-year-old for trying to hold officials to account, while some thought his interview technique was too aggressive.

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Ministers have even stopped coming on GMB, and Morgan has been quick to criticise them for what he has branded a “boycott”.

He said on the show earlier this month: "I think they have been a total shambles in this pandemic.

"What I think is spectacularly gutless, is that these ministers have avoided our show for 134 days. Not just us, Newsnight, Channel 4 News, anywhere they think they might get a rough ride."