This Morning executives have apparently decided who will fill in for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on a permanent basis.
Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Rylan Clark, and Josie Gibson have filled in for the two former hosts, who both departed their positions within months of one other.
Schofield, 61, announced his departure from the daytime show after more than 20 years, citing allegations that he and Holly were ‘barely communicating’ behind the scenes and that their relationship had deteriorated.
He resigned from ITV in full after admitting on This Morning to a ‘unwise but not criminal’ romance with a younger staffer.
Meanwhile, Holly, 42, left This Morning after 14 years, citing a “tough goodbye,” triggering an outpouring of solidarity from her former co-stars.
It’s now been claimed ITV have chosen their replacements, with a source saying: ‘Lots of people were considered. Ultimately it’s about chemistry.’
The new hosts are supposed to be Ben Shephard from Good Morning Britain and Cat Deeley, who previously described her appearance on This Morning as a “one-off.”
An insider added to The Sun: ‘This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right.
‘Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.
‘He’s an extremely safe pair of hands, has real gravitas, and doesn’t have a whiff of scandal around him — he’s purer than pure.’
The source added that while Cat is ‘the number one target’ to replace Holly, negotiations are still ‘ongoing’.
‘Everyone is very excited, and the sense is that Ben and Cat will be a real boost to morale on the ground.’
It’s also been stated that the couple would be paid roughly £550,000 apiece, with the relaunch being pushed back until late January or maybe February.
Meanwhile, it has yet to be confirmed if Holly will return for Dancing On Ice, with the host yet to be selected, despite the fact that the whole lineup has already been unveiled and the debut event is just a few weeks away.
A source previously claimed she’s ‘in a right state’ over the decision, adding: ‘With what Holly has been faced with in the past few months, that is a hard commitment to make. She’s worried, she’s terrified and it is absolutely awful for her.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
