Susanna Reid reveals her decision to never marry is a ‘personal choice’ and assures her three sons that they are not ‘illegitimate’ during GMB debate
Susanna Reid has said that not getting married was a ‘personal choice’ and assured her three sons that they are not ‘illegitimate’ during a Good Morning Britain debate on Thursday’s show.
The presenter, 50, spoke to Jeni Barnett and Debbie McGee about whether marriage is ‘sexist’ after it was announced that mothers of the bride and groom can be named on marriage certificates in one of the biggest shake-ups of the registration system.
During the debate, Susanna said that it is an ‘old fashioned idea’ that children ‘aren’t legitimate’ if you’re not married and explained her decision to never tie the knot.
‘Personal’: Susanna Reid has said that not getting married was a ‘personal choice’ and assured her three sons that they are not ‘illegitimate’ during a GMB debate on Thursday’s show
The presenter, who has previously insisted that she will never marry, split from journalist Dominic Cotton in 2014 after a 16 year relationship. They share sons Sam, 19, Finn, 17, and Jack, 16.
Susanna, who recently sparked speculation she has reunited with her ex-boyfriend Steve Parish, said: ‘I’ve never been married, no. And I would just like to say to the children you are not illegitimate – whatever the convention says.’
The star’s co-host Adil Ray was quick to ask Susanna over her decision to never marry, to which she admitted: ‘Just a personal choice.’
Adil, 57, then joked: ‘That’s all we’re going to get out of her, we’re not going to get anymore!’ to which Susanna started laughing.
Ex: The presenter, who has previously insisted that she will never marry, split from journalist Dominic Cotton in 2014 after a 16 year relationship. They share sons Sam, 19, Finn, 17, and Jack, 16 (Susanna and Dominic pictured in happier times)
Debate: The presenter, 50, spoke to Jeni Barnett and Debbie McGee about whether marriage is ‘sexist’ after it was announced that mothers of the bride and groom can be named on marriage certificates in one of the biggest shake-ups of the registration system
During the debate, guest Jeni had said: ‘I think tradition is being turned on its head. All us old feminists are saying it’s okay to be married but you have to be who you are and remain who you are. You’re not a chattel.’
Presenter Jeni, 72, added that she only got married when she had a child with her partner after a 11 year relationship.
She said: ‘Only after 11 years, I did it because we had a kid. If I died and he had to do paperwork, he wouldn’t have done it! We married so the child could be legitimate and that’s why we did it.’
To which Susanna argued: ‘It’s an old fashioned idea that you’re children aren’t legitimate if you’re not married.’
‘Old fashioned’: During the debate, Susanna said that it is an ‘old fashioned idea’ that children ‘aren’t legitimate’ if you’re not married and explained her decision to never tie the knot
With Jeni adding: ‘They did change the ruling. Women have made enormous strides forward. I couldn’t wear the ring for six months because I felt I was trapped. I didn’t take his name. It caused havoc in our lives.’
While Debbie argued that marriage is not ‘sexist’ and that it shouldn’t be about what other people are thinking.
The TV star, 62, who was married to the late Paul Daniels, said: ‘So much has changed, I think it’s great. A lot of people still get married because of different laws.
‘I think it’s our laws that need changing so people don’t think they need to get married so they don’t have inheritance tax or as Jeni said, to do with her children.
Never! Susanna, who recently sparked speculation she has reunited with her ex-boyfriend Steve Parish, said: ‘I’ve never been married, no. And I would just like to say to the children you are not illegitimate – whatever the convention says.’
‘I think it should be just showing this is the one I love over anyone else. I don’t think it should be about what other people are thinking, it’s between two people.’
Earlier this week, it was announced that mothers of the bride and groom can be named on marriage certificates in the biggest shake-up of the registration system for 200 years.
The long-awaited modernisation means that both parents will be included on the legal paperwork instead of only fathers.
Reforms will also see the creation of a single electronic marriage register, which is expected to make it easier to detect sham marriages. Ministers said this system is more secure and eliminates the need for data to be extracted from hard copies.
And in a break from centuries of tradition, couples taking their vows in a church will not be issued with a marriage certificate straight away.
Argument: Presenter Jeni, 72, added that she only got married when she had a child with her partner after a 11 year relationship
They will instead receive a ‘marriage document’ which will be sent to the register office so details can be recorded before the formal certificate is sent out.
The changes to the Marriage Act in England and Wales are the biggest shake-up to the registration system since 1837, ministers said.
Under the current system, the couple – and witnesses – sign a register book held at each church, place of worship or register office.
The new arrangements in a civil ceremony will see couples and witnesses sign a ‘marriage schedule’ which will include both parents’ names from both sides.
In the Church of England and the Church in Wales, the vicar will issue a ‘marriage document’.
Debate: While Debbie, who was married to the late Paul Daniels, argued that marriage is not ‘sexist’ and that it shouldn’t be about what other people are thinking
The document will be sent to the register office and recorded in the electronic register. A marriage certificate can then be issued to the couple.
Civil partnership certificates already include mothers’ names, so the changes update marriage documents to match them.
It comes after Susanna and her ex-boyfriend Steve Parish sparked speculation they’re back together after being spotted enjoying a cosy dinner last month.
The Good Morning Britain presenter was seen dining at the swanky eatery Trinity, in London, before driving away in her car, two years after the couple reportedly called off their nine-month romance.
MailOnline contacted representatives for Susanna Reid and Steve Parish for comment at the time.
Shake-up: Earlier this week, it was announced that mothers of the bride and groom can be named on marriage certificates in the biggest shake-up of the registration system for 200 years (Stock image)
Susanna first went public with Steve back in November 2018 when they were pictured at a Crystal Palace v Chelsea match.
A friend told The Sun at the time: ‘They have known each other for several years through their connections to Palace.’
They split just months later in April 2019 following a nine month relationship, as Susanna insisted they would remain good friends.
In 2014, Susanna split from journalist Dominic Cotton, the father of her three teenage sons – after a 16 year relationship. They share sons Sam, 19, Finn, 17, and Jack, 16.
In November, the Croydon native spoke about her love life, insisting she will never marry after her previous split from Steve.
Her GMB co-host at the time Piers Morgan asked her: ‘Are you single again? You are aren’t you?’, to which an upbeat Susanna replied: ‘Yep. Let’s not dwell. I’m fine, we’re fine, we’re very good friends. We were at the match on Saturday.
‘I know one of the things you’re most devastated with my split, is the fact you will no longer have access to the wine cellar,’ she added before presenting her friend with three bottles of Crystal Palace wine to ‘commemorate the epic occasion of Palace beating Arsenal.’
‘Steve let’s make this clear, you’ve broken up with Susanna and not me,’ Piers, 56, joked. ‘Your wine cellar remains a very important part of my life.’
‘I think it’s nice that you guys went to the football… these things happen right,’ he continued. ‘They do,’ agreed Susanna. ‘And we remain friends.’
Dating history: It comes after Susanna and her ex-boyfriend Steve Parish sparked speculation they’re back together after being spotted enjoying a cosy dinner last month (pictured in 2019)
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