This Morning announces Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard as official new hosts

16 February 2024 , 09:51

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This Morning announces Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard as official new hosts

This Morning has revealed Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard will be joining as full-time presenters.

It 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. 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.

Cat Deeley has previously presented This Morning but is returning on a full-time basis

Ben is also joining on a full-time contract

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."

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As the show then kicked off, Alison and Dermot reacted to the news and both said: "Welcome to the family." Alison added: "We are so happy, it's finally out, the news is finally out." Dermot called it "lovely" as Alison said it was "so so nice".

This Morning's editor, Martin Frizell commented: "The team and I have relished the opportunity to try new things these past few months and remind viewers what a massively talented team both on and off screen we have here at This Morning. We can't wait to welcome Ben and Cat fully into the fold next month and witness the start of another exciting chapter in the show's 35-year journey."

Ben couldn't contain his joy (ITV)

Fans have also reacted to the announcement as they flocked to social media to share their views. One said: "We all love Cat Deeley, she smiles on my tv..." Another penned: "Happy times!!! @benshephard @catdeeley #ThisMorning." "Brilliant news!" exclaimed a third. A fourth penned: "Welcome to this morning @benshephard & @catdeeley hope you both have a lot of fun working on the show. Hope Dermot and Alison still be doing Fridays."

Taking to Instagram, Ben said: "Ten years has flown by at GMB. I’ve loved every minute, (well not those minutes immediately after the alarm goes off at 3.30am but all the others have been incredible. As have these amazing women I’ve been lucky enough to sit alongside, work with, laugh with and on the odd occasion drink with!

"I will miss working with them and the whole team - and I’m very grateful that they are just next door so that whenever I get nostalgic I know they aren’t too far away."

Earlier this month, a source told the Mirror: "The cat's out of the bag - they are the new dream team. ITV is planning to announce Cat and Ben as their new star pairing in March. Obviously Ben is well known and loved by the ITV daytime audience thanks to his many years on the breakfast sofa. Cat is also a very recognisable face, thanks to her long stint of working on kids’ TV, although she’s been over in the US for a long time.

Friday hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary were overjoyed as they welcomed Ben and Cat into the This Morning family (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"Back in the 90s and early 2000s, when she worked with Ant and Dec on SMTV Live, she was very warm and funny so it’s hoped they can recreate some of that magic together. People were very impressed with her guest presenting stint last year alongside Rylan and thankfully the timing has all come together. Everyone is delighted."

But fans will still see regular presenters Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond as they will continue fronting the show on Fridays, as well as the half-term periods. The new presenters step into Holly and Phillip's shoes, following their respective exits from the programme last year. Schofield announced he was quitting all work commitments with ITV following an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a much younger male colleague. He later admitted to lying to ITV bosses when previously questioned on the affair.

Meanwhile, Holly announced her departure after 14 years to spend more time with her children and husband Dan. She was abruptly taken off air after the police foiled an alleged plan to kidnap and murder the broadcaster. Despite this, Holly returned to Dancing On Ice last month and appeared happier than ever.

Daniel Bird