Are Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire Friends? Inside Their On-Screen Rivalry and Real Bond

British television viewers have grown used to seeing Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire trade political jabs on morning news reviews, but plenty of people still wonder whether the chemistry is genuine. The short answer: yes, are andrew pierce and kevin maguire friends is a question with a warm answer — the two journalists have built a real friendship over more than a decade of sparring on air, even though their politics sit on opposite sides of the fence.
Who Is Andrew Pierce?
Andrew Pierce is a British journalist, editor, author and broadcaster, born Patrick Connolly in Bristol. Over a long Fleet Street career he has held senior roles at The Times and The Daily Telegraph, later becoming consultant editor of the Daily Mail before leaving the paper in 2026. Today he’s best known as a presenter on GB News, where his sharp, unmistakably Conservative-leaning commentary has made him a familiar face for right-of-centre viewers. He’s also active on andrew pierce twitter, where he shares political takes, show clips and the occasional dig at his old sparring partner.
Who Is Kevin Maguire?
Kevin Maguire sits firmly on the other side of the political spectrum. He’s the Daily Mirror’s associate editor, a New Statesman columnist, and previously served as chief reporter at The Guardian. Where Pierce champions Conservative politics, Maguire is a proud Labour supporter, and it’s precisely this contrast that has made the pair such compelling television.
How Did Their Partnership Begin?
The Pierce-Maguire double act traces back to LBC radio, where Pierce hosted a Sunday morning political show that eventually became a joint programme with Maguire. From there, the duo became regulars on newspaper review segments across the BBC, ITV and Sky News, dissecting the next day’s front pages with a mix of political disagreement and genuine warmth.
Are They Actually Friends Off-Screen?
Despite representing opposing tribes, Pierce and Maguire have described each other as good friends for years. Maguire has publicly called Pierce his “great friend” on social media, and those who’ve watched them together note that the banter never tips into genuine hostility. The pair now embrace the label “best of frenemies” — a nod to a friendship built on mutual respect rather than shared politics.
Their On-Screen Chemistry and Public Appearances
Their double act has expanded well beyond newspaper reviews. The two have appeared together on Good Morning Britain, headlined a live stage show called “Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire” at London’s Leicester Square Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe, and now co-host a weekly podcast, Pierce Vs Maguire, where the sparring continues in audio form.
Do They Ever Clash Publicly?
Political disagreement is very much part of the act. The pair regularly clash over the monarchy, party politics and the news of the day — Maguire is an outspoken republican, while Pierce is a staunch monarchist. But these clashes are performed with humour rather than genuine animosity, which is exactly why audiences keep coming back.
Why Their Friendship Resonates With Audiences
In an era of increasingly polarised media, Pierce and Maguire offer something rarer: proof that people with opposite political views can disagree loudly and still like each other. The pair have even visited journalism students at Harlow College to demonstrate that civil, good-humoured debate is still possible — a message that clearly struck a chord with the next generation of reporters.
Why Is Andrew Pierce Not on Good Morning Britain Anymore?
This is one of the most searched questions about him, and the answer is straightforward. why is andrew pierce not on good morning britain comes down to scheduling. In December 2025, Pierce announced his exit from GMB after nearly a decade as a regular contributor, explaining that the show’s extension into a longer morning slot clashed with his existing commitments on GB News. He confirmed the move on social media, signing off with “onwards, upwards” and noting he’d remain focused on his GB News show and the Pierce Vs Maguire podcast.
Has Andrew Pierce Left GB News?
No — has andrew pierce left gb news is easy to answer: he hasn’t. In fact, his GB News commitments were the very reason he stepped back from GMB. andrew pierce gb news remains his primary broadcasting home, where he continues to present his own slot several days a week.
Andrew Pierce: Personal Life, Age and Health
Alongside the friendship angle, many readers search for background on Pierce himself. how old is andrew pierce — he was born on 11 February 1961 in Bristol, making him 65 years old. As for is andrew pierce married, he is not married in the traditional sense; he is openly gay and has spoken about being in a long-term civil partnership, a status he has publicly championed. On is andrew pierce gay, this has been part of his public profile for years — in 2005 he was named by The Observer among Britain’s most influential gay public figures.
When it comes to who is andrew pierce partner, Pierce has kept those details largely private, and there’s no widely confirmed andrew pierce husband name in the public domain. Searches for andrew pierce partner photos or a broader look at who is andrew pierce partner tend to come up short for the same reason — he draws a clear line between his broadcasting career and his home life. Similarly, andrew pierce partner remains something he hasn’t chosen to publicise in detail.
On health, is andrew pierce ill has circulated online periodically, often triggered by short breaks from screen appearances. There’s no credible reporting to suggest he’s currently unwell; he’s previously spoken openly about recovering from Covid-19, and beyond that has continued his usual busy schedule of GB News shows, columns and podcast recording. So to answer is andrew pierce ill plainly: no confirmed ongoing illness has been reported.
As for where is andrew pierce these days, he splits his time between GB News studios and various London media appearances, having largely stepped back from Sky News guest slots in favour of his GB News commitments.
Andrew Pierce: Quick Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew Pierce (born Patrick Connolly) |
| Date of birth | 11 February 1961 |
| Age | 65 |
| Birthplace | Bristol, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | St Joseph’s Catholic School, Swindon |
| Occupation | Journalist, editor, broadcaster, author |
| Known for | GB News presenter; former Daily Mail consultant editor; former Good Morning Britain political commentator |
| Notable book | Finding Margaret (2024) |
| Podcast | Pierce Vs Maguire, with Kevin Maguire |
| Personal life | Openly gay; long-term civil partnership; keeps partner details private |
FAQs
Are Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire friends in real life?
Yes. Despite their opposing politics, the two have described each other as genuine, longtime friends and now brand themselves the “best of frenemies.”
What does Kevin Maguire call Andrew Pierce?
Maguire has affectionately nicknamed Pierce “Tory Boy,” a reference to his staunch Conservative views.
Where can you see them together?
Beyond their old newspaper review slots, they’ve appeared on Good Morning Britain, toured a live stage show, and now host a joint podcast.
Why did Andrew Pierce leave Good Morning Britain?
A scheduling clash — the show’s extended morning slot conflicted with his GB News commitments.
Is Andrew Pierce still on GB News?
Yes, he remains a regular presenter there.
Conclusion
For all the political fireworks, the friendship between Andrew Pierce and Kevin Maguire is real, and it’s arguably what makes their double act so watchable. Two journalists from opposite ends of the political spectrum, still trading barbs and laughs after more than a decade — proof that disagreement doesn’t have to mean dislike.
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