ITV has announced the new presenters set to take over Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield following their shock exits from This Morning last year. After much speculation, it was confirmed on Friday morning (February 16) that Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley are to join the This Morning family as the new co-hosts from next month.
The ITV daytime show has had a number of rotating presenters since Holly and Phillip's departures, including Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle and Rylan. Cat Deeley last fronted This Morning back in November alongside both Rylan Clark and Craig Doyle, while Ben last hosted the show in September alongside Holly before she quit in October.
The news was announced in a bespoke promo on This Morning’s social media pages, showing Ben walking down the familiar This Morning production corridor and placing a new photo of Cat on the wall, before turning to the camera as the photo comes to life - with Cat giving viewers one of her signature winks.
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Expressing their joy of joining the This Morning presenting team on a regular basis, 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.”
Ben and Cat will make their debut hosting This Morning next month and will front the Monday to Thursday shows, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary on Fridays.
This Morning’s Editor, Martin Frizell said: “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.”
Managing Director, ITV Studios Daytime, Emma Gormley added: “I feel immensely proud of everyone working on This Morning - for a programme that has evolved many times over the last 35 years, it remains just as relevant and exciting as ever. We are thrilled to have Ben and Cat as our new This Morning hosts and cannot wait to see them on that famous sofa together soon.”
Sharing the promo on their Instagram page, This Morning wrote: "It’s official! Say hello to our new #ThisMorning presenters! Welcome to the family. We can’t wait to see you soon!."
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 & ITVX.
