Door left open for Grainne's GMTV return

Melanie Finn, Showbiz Editor

GRAINNE SEOIGE has been tipped for a return to GMTV after her hugely successful stand-in slot last month.

The biggest breakfast show in Britain has confirmed it has left the door open for the RTE beauty to return to its couch.

Grainne (36) made a huge impression when filling in for its regular sports presenter Dan Lobb with a week-long stint on the popular early morning programme.

And programme bosses have revealed to the Herald how they could definitely envisage having the Gaelgeoir back on the show again sometime in the near future.

"It was great to have Grainne covering Dan's holiday and if the occasion arises again Grainne may be back," said a spokesman.

He added how "nothing is confirmed at the moment" but they are definitely keeping an "open-door" policy in relation to the well-known TV presenter, who clearly enjoys working on the programme.

Over the past six weeks, Grainne has worked on three separate occasions for GMTV, reporting from Cheltenham for the early morning show as well as filming excepts from Punchestown races last month.

But she really set tongues wagging last month when she spent the entire week filling in for Dan with programme bosses bowled over by her good looks and relaxed manner in front of the camera.

Given that ITV is currently undergoing a massive shake-up of staff, rumours suggest that she could be in line for one of the plum positions.

It was recently revealed that Adrian Chiles is moving from the BBC to GMTV in a €6.5m deal, amid claims that he will need a gorgeous Christine Bleakley-style presenter by his side.

mfinn@herald.ie