ITV decided to replace GMTV with a new breakfast show called Daybreak after taking full control of GMTV. Daybreak and Lorraine made up the weekday schedule of ITV Breakfast, while children’s programmes continued to air at weekends. Promotion for the new show began on 23 August, featuring short bumpers between adverts during ITV’s evening programmes.

The first episode of Daybreak aired on 6 September 2010. Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley welcomed viewers, introduced the new studio, and admired its large window view. The show included an interview with Tony Blair and a report by John Stapleton on the 2006 collapse of the Farepak Christmas savings club. Regional footage from across the UK and a studio tour were also featured. Critics responded with mixed reviews.

By November 2011, reports surfaced that Chiles and Bleakley would be leaving. Chiles confirmed their exit, and both presented their final show on 5 December. Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway filled in temporarily until permanent replacements were chosen.

ITV later announced Aled Jones and Lorraine Kelly as the new main presenters on 4 May 2012. The refreshed version of Daybreak launched on 3 September that year. Audience reaction was divided. Some disliked the bright, traditional set, while others welcomed the return to a format more like GMTV. Despite the relaunch, the show opened with just 600,000 viewers. Ratings rose slightly through September and October 2012, averaging around 700,000 and sometimes reaching 800,000.

On 15 February 2014, Lorraine Kelly revealed she would leave Daybreak later that year to focus on her own show Lorraine five days a week. Three weeks before Daybreak ended, presenter Matt Barbet appeared for the final time, becoming the fourth host to depart after Chiles, Bleakley, and Lobb. Kelly’s last appearance came on 10 April 2014 before her Easter break. Daybreak aired its final edition on 25 April 2014, presented by Aled Jones and Kate Garraway.