ITV’s This Morning will wrap early on Wednesday and Loose Women will be cancelled in TV schedule shake-up.
During the programme hosts Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson explained that This Morning would be finishing at 12:15pm rather than its usual 12:30pm.
Meanwhile, Loose Women has been taken off air completely to make room for ITV news for Budget Day.
This Morning’s Craig explained: ‘The show is slightly shorter today because it’s Budget Day.
‘We are all going to be so much richer at the end of today,’ he joked.
Josie responded: ‘I hope so!’
ITV will air from 12:15pm to 2pm with Jeremy Hunt set to cut 2p from personal taxes.
It comes as Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have been unveiled as the new hosts of This Morning.
The pair, aged 47 and 49 respectively, have been locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and are now set to make their debut next month.
Her role on the show will see the star reportedly lose her long-time role on So You Think You Can Dance in the US, where she was reportedly paid £43k an episode – instead opting for the role on This Morning with a reported £550k annual salary.
It had been claimed that Cat was finally been won round with a more lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied the claims – insisting it was the ability to spend more time family, over a big money payday, that finally sealed the deal.
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…’
He continued: ‘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…
‘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.’
Hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary discussed the news last week, showing a throwback snap of Dermot, Andi Peters and Ben. Dermot joked: ‘Ben at T4 that’s actually from last week!’, while Alison replied: ‘Look at Andi Peters!’
Moving on to Cat, Dermot said: I’ve known Cat for so long’, while Alison revealed she first met Cat at a party in Los Angeles about four years ago and they bonded over both being from Birmingham.
She told Dermot: ‘I met her in LA. We’re both Brummies. I met her about four years ago, we met in LA at a party. We are so so happy they are joining the family Ben and Cat. This is going to be so so nice’.
Dermot said: ‘The secret is out!’, while Alison revealed: ‘They are joining us in March’.
This Morning’s Editor, Martin Frizell said: ‘The team and I have relished the opportunity to try new things these past few months and remind viewers what a massively talented team both on and off screen we have here at This Morning…’
‘We can’t wait to welcome Ben and Cat fully into the fold next month and witness the start of another exciting chapter in the show’s 35 year journey.’
Managing Director, ITV Studios Daytime, Emma Gormley added: ‘I feel immensely proud of everyone working on This Morning – for a programme that has evolved many times over the last 35 years, it remains just as relevant and exciting as ever…
‘We are thrilled to have Ben and Cat as our new This Morning hosts and cannot wait to see them on that famous sofa together soon.’
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.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
