27 January 2024 , 19:22
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This Morning faces yet more turbulence behind the scenes, with staff “livid” a presenting team is still not in place three months after Holly Willoughby quit.
Josie Gibson – a regular on the flagship ITV show’s line-up since 2019 – has been a safe pair of hands since her return from the jungle and was seen as a front-runner.
But the star, who finished fourth last month on I’m A Celebrity, has been left in limbo while bosses trial a “conveyor belt of talent” including Cat Deeley and newcomer Sian Welby.
A source says: “All anyone can talk about behind the scenes is who the next team on the sofa will be. It’s not just the talent either – there’s widespread frustration at the lack of a decision, and some are really livid. Many of the stylists and make-up artists work for one particular person, so they’re keen to know when they’ll be working. Those people are also in limbo.”
Holly Willoughby quit in October (PA)
TV presenter Cat Deeley (Getty Images)Former host Holly quit in October after being targeted in an alleged kidnap plot. Her departure sparked a flurry of speculation over who would step in to replace her permanently.
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All-rounder Sian last week became the latest to be trialled in the This Morning line-up – earning a warm welcome from Josie and regular Dermot O’Leary.
Earlier this month, we told how bosses were keen for Alison Hammond to host the show from Monday to Thursday – but she declined in order to focus on other projects. Alison is believed to be quietly backing Josie for the job, and has been a tower of strength for her away from the camera.
The source adds: “Josie is one of the most positive people on the show, and has been a real support for others. Many are angry that she hasn’t been given the job, after all the graft she’s put in for the show. But if she’s annoyed about it, she hasn’t let it show. She’s a professional and in public, it is very much a case of, ‘Keep calm and carry on.’”