Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have been unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning, ITV revealed on Friday.
The pair, aged 47 and 49 respectively, have been locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
The news was confirmed via a bespoke promo on This Morning’s Twitter, 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.
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…
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have been unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning, ITV revealed on Friday
‘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.’
Sources at the channel say that they are ‘thrilled’ at the signing of the pair after ‘so many obstacles had to be negotiated to get there,’ according to one source. Their appointment will be discussed on Friday’s episode of This Morning.
The Mail first revealed that the duo were top of the list but in December Cat turned down the role because she wasn’t able to commit the time to the programme.
However, after further negotiations and the offer of more money, she agreed. One source said: ‘Cat was the one they wanted all along and finally they have her. It is incredible news for them.’
This Morning’s new permanent host Cat was said to be in a stand-off with ITV bosses over her new post and her long-time role on So You Think You Can Dance (pictured on the show in November)
It comes after it was revealed it was revealed that Cat is in a stand-off with ITV bosses over her new post and her long-time role on So You Think You Can Dance.
Last month, insiders revealed Cat and Ben had scooped the coveted roles of permanent hosts in the wake of stalwart stars Holly and Phil leaving.
It was alleged that Cat wanted Rylan Clark as a co-host rather than Ben and will ‘not receive special treatment’ to permit her Monday to Thursday role on This Morning and continue her £344k-a season role on the American dance show.
Sources revealed: ‘Cat will not get any special treatment… She will absolutely not be given time off to film the next series of So You Think You Can Dance. So she has to make that decision, it’s one or the other, end of.’
Cat is said to have ‘really wanted the job’ but had concerns over her husband Patrick Kielty’s commitments in Ireland and how they would juggle the jobs.
The insider continued: ‘Cat told friends that she wanted the job, if ‘she could make it work.’ However, she also feared that Patrick’s commitments in Ireland made things very tricky for her to take the job. She also really, really wanted to do it with Rylan.’
When reports of Cat joining the show first emerged last year it was claimed she and Ben would receive an annual salary of £555,000.
While hefty, the salary still paled in comparison to former hosts Holly and Phil, who were said to have been paid £700,000 annually for their role.
However, Cat isn’t short of cash as she currently earns at least £344,000 a season hosting So You Think You Can Dance in the States, where she is said to be paid £43,000 an episode.
The new series is set to air in March and Cat has been dividing her time between the States and the UK for filming.
Cat isn’t short of cash as she currently earns at least £344,000 a season hosting So You Think You Can Dance in the States, where she is said to be paid £43,000 an episode.
It was claimed that Cat wanted Rylan Clark as a co-host rather than Ben and will ‘not receive special treatment’ to permit her Monday to Thursday role on This Morning and continue her £344k-a season role on the American dance show
