'Ben Shephard is safe pair of hands for This Morning after Schofield's lies'

16 February 2024 , 18:22

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'Ben Shephard is safe pair of hands for This Morning after Schofield's lies'

There are many shows that do well with rotating hosts, like GMB and Have I Got News For You.

But This Morning needs to have permanent presenters to follow on from Richard and Judy, Phil and Fern, and Phil and Holly. It is nine months since the show was rocked first by Phillip Schofield’s departure and then Holly Willoughby’s exit in October.

As The Mirror revealed this month, ITV bosses have been busy signing up Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley as the new hosts. And the good news is they really should work a treat.

Ben will be leaving Good Morning Britain for This Morning (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

Cat will be taking the permanent post of host over from Holly Willoughby (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Unlike Phillip, who lied about an affair with a junior colleague, Ben is a safe pair of hands. He also has the warmth and cheer needed for morning telly. Former model Cat has been in the US hosting So You Think You Can Dance since 2006. But her husband Patrick Kielty presents Ireland’s The Late, Late Show now, so it makes sense for her to return to British TV.

So here’s to Ben and Cat, the new This Morning dream team. And while Kate Garraway will no doubt miss Ben on GMB, he will only be down the corridor and I’m sure they will meet most days. You only have to look at those two to know they are genuine BFFs – best friends forever.

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The exciting news of Cat and Ben's new venture comes following months of speculation that the duo will be taking the reins from stand-in presenters who stepped up after Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby quit the programme. Reports previously stated that Cat had turned down the job. But the Mirror revealed that things had changed.

Cat who previously lived in the US currently has a home in the UK and splits her time between her home country and Los Angeles where she presented So You Think You Can Dance? while Ben previously fronted Good Morning Britain.

Phillip and Holly both left This Morning last year (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The pair will make their full-time debut on the programme in March. But Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will continue to front the programme on Friday, while Cat and Ben will appear Monday to Thursday.

Sharing the news, Ben said: "This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It's an honour to be trusted with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job. For the last ten years, I've been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat, welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved."

Cat added: "This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it's on, it's like having your friends over - funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative and joyful - like all the greatest friendships! This Morning is and always will be the viewer's show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of an amazing team of people, we're going to do our best to take care of it."

Nicola Methven