22 December 2023 , 09:38
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Good Morning Britain's presenters were left cringing when Andi Peters made an awkward joke about Ben Shephard's salary.
During Friday's segment of the ITV programme, Myleene Klass and her daughter Ava joined the cast to perform the classic Christmas hit, Fairytale of New York. Ben introduced the two as the mother-daughter duo sat by the piano waiting to perform The Pogues' popular track.
"Look at the Klasses," he said. "They're all class!" Andi was extremely amused by the joke and told viewers: "Look at the Klasses! I see what he did there! That's why he gets the big bucks... allegedly." The presenters awkwardly laughed at the seemingly innocent joke while Ben cringed.
Co-host Ranvir Singh thanked Andi for his comment and quickly changed the subject.
Andi joked about him 'making the big bucks' (ITV)Ben reportedly has a net worth of £3.6million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. It comes amid the claims Ben and Cat Deeley were the top choices as permanent hosts on This Morning after original hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby departed the ITV programme.
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It was reported that the new duo would be earning £550,000 yearly, and a source told The Sun : "This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right. Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.
Ben cringed as Ranvir changed the subject (ITV)“He’s an extremely safe pair of hands, has real gravitas, and doesn’t have a whiff of scandal around him - Cat is the number one target to replace Holly, but negotiations are ongoing."
However, Cat has reportedly turned down the role and the ITV show was 'gutted' after Cat chose to return to America to host So You Think You Can Dance instead of hosting This Morning. The presenter was one of the many guest hosts on the programme last month and was a huge hit with viewers.
So You Think You Can Dance was fronted by Cat in 2005. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was put on hold. The programme was revived earlier this month. Speaking to MailOnline, a source claimed ITV bosses were 'pulling their hair out' from the stress.
Holly, who fronted the show since 2009, departed months after Schofield sensationally left after admitting to an "unwise, but not illegal" affair with a younger male colleague at the daytime show while he was still married. Since the storm surrounding his exit, This Morning decision-makers have road-tested several candidates with Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson, Emma Willis, Christine Lampard, Rylan Clark and Dermot O'Leary standing in as guest hosts.