Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard confirmed as new This Morning presenters
Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley have been announced as the new presenting duo for This Morning, ITV has confirmed.
The pair take over from the previous permanent hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, who both left ITV’s flagship morning show last year.
Both Shephard and Deeley have previously presented the programme on separate occasions.
Shephard, who has been a fixture on Good Morning Britain, 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 reins, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job.
“For the last 10 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.”
Deeley, who rose to fame as a presenter of Saturday morning ITV children’s programme SM:TV Live, alongside Ant and Dec, and its spin-off music programme CD:UK with Willoughby, said: “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 viewers’ 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.”
Shephard and Deeley will begin hosting This Morning next month to front the Monday to Thursday programmes.
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will present on Fridays.
The pair are among those who have shown their support for the new permanent hosts.
Commenting on This Morning’s Instagram video announcing the news, O’Leary wrote: “Huzzah! Welcome to the fam,” while Hammond wrote: “So excited about this.”
Schofield left the programme in May 2023 after it was revealed he had an affair with a younger colleague.
His departure was followed by Willoughby’s in October. In an Instagram post announcing her at the time, she said she felt she had to make the decision for herself and her family.
Additional reporting by PA News Agency.
