Katie Piper announced on social media she has stepped away from presenting her Breakfast show this morning, after being forced to seek medical attention

Katie Piper pulled out of her breakfast show this week due to a medical emergency.

The Loose Women star announced she would be stepping away from her role this weekend and would be replaced by Good Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins. The TV star, 40, shared the sad news with her fans on Instagram on Saturday, writing: “I’ll be back soon. thank you @charlottehawkins1 for stepping in last minute.” In the caption of her post, she added: “Sadly I’m not going to be on my breakfast show this weekend as I’ve had to have an unexpected medical procedure. All is well and I hope after some rest I’ll be back in the hot seat next weekend.”

Katie regularly presents her weekend morning chat show on ITV1, which runs on Saturday and Sunday, and has featured guest stars including Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing, and Celebs Go Dating’s Anna Williamson. This week, Katie was set to welcome stand-up comedian Sophie Duker and Livi Sheldon, best known for her role as Diamond from Gladiators, and Radio 1 film critic Rhianna Dhillon to the studio.

Although Katie hadn’t mentioned in detail the reason for her absence, she told her followers on social media she would be back to her fronting the show next weekend. Fans were left gutted at the news. One person penned: “Sending love & a speedy recovery x” Meanwhile another person added: “Take care we shall miss seeing you.”

Katie announced back in 2022 that she was set to present her own TV Breakfast Show ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Katie has previously opened up about her health battles, and earlier this year, updated fans on her recent recovery after undergoing surgery to avoid losing her left eye.

The presenter opened up about her tarsorrhaphy surgery, telling fans the procedures had been “mentally hard”. Katie sustained multiple injuries and blindness in eye one after she was attacked with acid in 2008. The mum-of-two has since undergone more than 400 surgeries in a bid to reconstruct her face.

She told her followers: “I’ve got a defect and an infection that is becoming really hard to treat. I have to give a shout out to my lovely husband, he’s always there for me, always driving.

“He’s spent a lot of time in hospital waiting rooms, eye clinic waiting rooms, wards, and he sits in a lot of car parks waiting for me. Also, if this helps anyone else…. yes I do sometimes find it hard. I’m ok with looking different to everyone else but operations can sometimes take me back to memories of how this all started and that’s hard mentally.”

Katie has been hosting her Breakfast Show since 2022, alongside being a regular panellist on Loose Women. Back in April, Katie was full of joy after announcing her show was set to return.

She took to social media to write: “I am so happy to be back for a third series, and this time it’s bigger than ever! Expect some incredible guests in the studio, from TV stars, podcasters, as well as top musical talent. I can’t wait for everyone to wake up with me every Saturday and Sunday – so set your alarms!”