Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have been revealed as the new hosts of THIS Morning.
The pair will replace Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for good on the ITV lunchtime show from next month.
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The replacements for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield in This Morning have finally been announced Credits: Rex
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This Morning broke the news on Friday that Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley were taking over
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Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary shared the news on This Morning
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, who host the Friday show, confirmed The Sun’s exclusive story today when they announced the big signing.
They gave the couple a warm welcome with a photo of Cat and Ben on screen and said they would be hosting Monday to Thursday from March onwards.
Ben also appeared in a teaser trailer which saw him hanging his portrait on the wall backstage at the ITV studios.
He turned to the camera and said, “See you soon!” before the portrait of the Cat winked.
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Sharing the news with viewers, Alison said: “We are so, so happy! The news is finally out, it’s finally out.”
And Dermot added: “Welcome to the family!
“You know the nice thing, we know them well and obviously I started my career with Ben in T4.”
Alison continued gushing over their new studio partners, saying: “Cat is just a dream, I met her in LA, that was the first time.
“We’re both Brummies… It was about four years ago, we met in LA… We went to a party and that was the first time those two Brummies had bumped into each other, we’ve never been apart.”
Good Morning Britain star Ben, 49, who guested on the sofa with TV veteran Cat for a day in December, confirmed he had signed on permanently in a statement released on Friday.
Cat Deeley is returning to host This Morning 20 years after he first did it
He said: “This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter this morning.
“It’s an honor to entrust me with the reigns, join Alison and Dermot and the entire team who work on and off screen and do such a great job.
“For the last ten years I have woken up to our daily ITV audience on GMB and now look forward to spending time with Cat, welcoming 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, 47, added: “This Morning is a national institution.
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“Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your own friends – funny, smart, goofy, honest, informative and joyful – like all the greatest friendships are!
“This morning is and always will be a show for viewers.
“Ben and I know how much people love it and with the help of an amazing team of people, we’re going to do our best to make it happen.”
The Sun revealed that the new duo’s salary is thought to be around £550,000 each – £150,000 less than Holly and Phil.
It comes after weeks of contract wrangling and speculation that Cat had been forced out of her US presenting role.
She hosted So You Think You Can Dance? since 2006
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In May last year, Phillip admitted to an affair with a younger co-star after weeks of on-air tension with former best friend Holly and subsequently quit his ITV roles.
Five months later Holly – his Dancing On Ice co-star – also left after a plot to kidnap her was discovered.
Cat rose to fame in 1998 when she hosted the children’s program SMTV Live, together with Ant and Dec.
Soon after, she hosted the BBC’s Fame Academy and the 2004 Brit Awards.
She then became host of Stars In Their Eyes from 2003 to 2006, taking over from Matthew Kelly.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX
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Ben Shephard is paired with Cat as co-host. Credits: ITV
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Cat has confirmed that she is joining in a permanent role and will start next monthCredit: TM PRESS
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The cat proved popular during a recent presentation on the couch on the show Credit: Getty
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