The permanent successors for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning have apparently been announced, following months of speculation.
Presenters Josie Gibson, Dermot O’Leary, and Alison Hammond have been stepping in for Holly, 42, and Schofield, 61, who both left the daytime show within weeks of each other.
Holly, who has returned to ITV as a presenter on Dancing On Ice, left This Morning in October after 14 years, stating that it was a bittersweet farewell.
Schofield resigned from ITV in May, confessing to a ‘unwise but not unlawful affair’.
He has subsequently kept out of the spotlight, only been spotted on a few times since last spring, however it is reported that he may appear on Celebrity Big Brother in March.
While their permanent successors have yet to be formally confirmed, with prior reports claiming that ITV personnel were ‘livid’ at the delay, a source has now revealed that Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard will fill the posts.
A source said: ‘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.’
The insider added to The Mirror: ‘People were very impressed with her guest presenting stint last year alongside Rylan and thankfully the timing has all come together. Everyone is delighted.’
Cat declined a chance to replace Holly after calling her appearance on This Morning ‘a one-off’.
Reflecting on her This Morning hosting debut, she told Closer in December: ‘It was so much fun, but it was only really a one-off.’
Meanwhile, immediately after Holly’s departure, it was reported that Ben was being watched alongside his Good Morning Britain co-star Kate Garraway, who has since stood down from her presenting responsibilities following the loss of her husband Derek Draper.
Staff have apparently been placed ‘in limbo’ as a permanent presenter for This Morning is still being announced.
A source had earlier claimed some were ‘livid’, saying: ‘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.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.
