Isabel Webster, the former host of *GB News*’s breakfast show, shared a moment of vulnerability just days before her unexpected exit from the channel.
In a candid column published on December 16, 2023, Isabel, who had been waking up at 3 a.m. for her hosting duties,
expressed her concern about the negative health effects of her grueling schedule.
Little did she know, the “bad news” she referred to would take on a new meaning, as it was shortly revealed that she had been dropped from her role.
At 42 years old, Isabel had co-hosted *GB News*’s breakfast show from Monday to Wednesday alongside veteran broadcaster Eamonn Holmes.
However, on December 19, 2023, it was officially announced that Isabel would be replaced by Ellie Costello, who now co-hosts *GBN Breakfast* five days a week.
Ellie presents with Eamonn on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, and with Stephen Dixon on Thursdays and Fridays.
In her column for *Woman*, Isabel opened up about the challenges of working irregular hours, specifically referencing the 3 a.m. wake-up call that had become a part of her daily routine. She expressed how the demanding schedule left her feeling “doomed,” especially after learning about a recent UK study that warned of the potential health risks associated with irregular sleep patterns. The study, conducted by the UK Biobank, suggested that poor sleep regularity could be more detrimental to health than simply not getting enough sleep.
Isabel shared her own concerns in the column: “It’s bad news for people like me who work irregular hours—hello, 3 a.m. alarm clock!” She explained the strain that such early mornings were having on her well-being, noting the heightened risk of serious health conditions like heart attack, heart failure, and stroke that could be linked to disrupted sleep patterns. The broadcaster even humorously commented, “I’m doomed on both counts!” as she reflected on how her job was not only leaving her tired and grumpy but potentially affecting her long-term health.
This revelation came just days before the announcement of her departure from *GB News*. The timing of the column left many fans and colleagues shocked by how Isabel had openly discussed the toll her early mornings were taking, only for her to be replaced by Ellie Costello shortly after.
The decision to let Isabel go came as a surprise to many, especially given her experience as a seasoned broadcaster, having previously worked at *Sky News*. Her exit from *GB News* marks another significant shake-up for the channel, which had already been through several changes in its programming lineup. While there has been no official comment from Isabel regarding the specifics of her departure, it’s clear that the early morning schedule she had so openly discussed was a major factor in her struggles.
Despite the sudden nature of her exit, Isabel has continued to maintain her professionalism. It’s not the first time the challenges of working irregular hours and dealing with the pressures of early-morning broadcasting have been brought to light. Many presenters and journalists in similar roles often face the same challenges, with sleep deprivation becoming an unfortunate side effect of working in the fast-paced world of live television.
As Isabel moves on from *GB News*, it remains to be seen what her next steps will be. Her time on *GB News* may have come to an end, but her candidness about the realities of working in broadcasting—especially the toll it can take on one’s health—has resonated with many of her audience. Her frank discussion about the impact of irregular hours serves as a reminder of the unseen struggles that many behind-the-scenes workers in the television industry face.
While the “bad news” Isabel mentioned in her column could have referred to the physical toll her job had been taking on her, it seems that, in the end, it also foreshadowed a much bigger change in her career.
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