Matthew Wright quit 'The Wright Stuff' for the sake of his marriage.
Matthew Wright
The 52-year-old presenter announced yesterday (01.05.18) that he was stepping down as the host of the weekday morning show, which he's presented since 2000, and, although he's sad about leaving, he has admitted the 3am wake-up calls were becoming a struggle and he barely saw his wife Amelia Wright during the week.
Speaking on the show this morning (02.05.18), he told panellist Anne Diamond: "There's not a lot to say, but you know better than most the demands of getting up for a daytime show. I'm up at 3 o'clock in the morning these days. I go to bed at half 7. Eighteen-and-a-half years of it... Mrs Wright, we pass like ships in the night and you're looking around like at some point you've got to have a change."
Although his exit has come as somewhat of a shock to fans, Matthew couldn't believe the amount of love and support he got from people online after the announcement.
He said: "I have to say I had no idea people could be so nice on Twitter because normally you come off the show and it's you're this, you're that and I hope you die a hideous death. Yesterday people were really nice and I felt quite overwhelmed."
The popular show - which has previously been nominated for Best Daytime Television programme at the National Television Awards - has discussed some of the biggest political and social debates over the years, and Ben Frow, director of programmes at Channel 5, admitted Matthew will be "sorely missed".
He said: "We would like to thank Matthew for his passion, hard work and enthusiasm over the last 18 years and for making the show what it is today. He will be sorely missed and we wish him all the very best for the future."
It is not yet known who will take over the show - which has featured high profile guests, such as Tony Blair, and Ben Elton - after Matthew's departure, and there is no official announcement about when the presenter will be leaving.
Earlier this morning, the TV host hinted there was a "big announcement" to come.
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