Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard’s Debut on This Morning Marks a New Era

Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard expressed their excitement as they made their debut on This Morning, thanking viewers for their well wishes. They replaced Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby after ITV’s extensive search for new hosts. Schofield’s departure last year was amidst reports of a rift with Willoughby, followed by his admission of lying about an affair with a colleague. Since then, the show had various guest presenters until Deeley and Shephard were unveiled as permanent hosts last month.

Deeley, reflecting on the significance of the show in their lives, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of it. Their inaugural episode featured good luck messages from Ant and Dec and football pundit Chris Kamara, with anecdotes and well-wishes.

The pair conducted interviews with guests such as Jools Holland and Sir Rod Stewart, showcasing their diverse talent and broad appeal. Despite initial concerns about the edited Mother’s Day photo of the Princess of Wales, the show continued with its usual segments, including cooking and relationship advice.

Deeley rose to fame on children’s shows before becoming a star in the US, while Shephard built his career on breakfast television. They will host This Morning from Monday to Thursday, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary continuing on Fridays.

Deeley and Shephard’s debut marks the end of a turbulent period for This Morning, which faced internal upheaval and allegations of toxic working culture. However, ITV’s chief executive has refuted claims of a toxic environment, emphasizing the show’s enduring popularity.