Headache for This Morning bosses as Cat Deeley turns down probability function

ITV bosses have been pressured to delay the relaunch of This Morning after Cat Deeley turned down the job to exchange Holly Willoughby.

Executives on the daytime chat present had been mentioned to be ‘gutted’ after Ms Deeley determined to return to America to host So You Think You Can Dance as a substitute.

They had pinned their hopes on signing up the 47-year-old after being impressed by her efficiency as visitor presenter final month.

She was a giant hit with viewers who hailed her as ‘good’, ‘wonderful’ and ‘a breath of recent air’.

The US expertise present, which Ms Deeley has hosted since 2005, had been placed on maintain through the Covid pandemic however was unexpectedly revived earlier this month.

ITV bosses have been pressured to delay the relaunch of This Morning after Cat Deeley turned down the job to exchange Holly Willoughby

Executives on the daytime chat present had been mentioned to be ‘gutted’ after Ms Deeley determined to return to America to host So You Think You Can Dance as a substitute

Ben Shephard, who had been lined as much as be a part of Ms Willoughby earlier than she left, is known to be remaining at Good Morning Britain in the intervening time

They had pinned their hopes on signing up the 47-year-old after being impressed by her efficiency as visitor presenter final month

Ms Deeley’s choice to return to the collection signifies that the mother-of-two solely has just a few weeks free in February and March earlier than she must head to the US to movie its stay episodes which is able to run till June.

She is married to Patrick Kielty, the comic, who hosts The Late Late Show on RTÉ One.

A supply mentioned: ‘There are lots of people [at ITV] pulling their hair out proper now.

‘The relaunch date was speculated to be in January however that’s no manner going to occur now.

‘Cat was the reply. She would have been an absolute triumph however they simply could not make it work. Now it’s a case of again to the drafting board to resolve a brand new plan of motion.’

ITV bosses have been on the lookout for a everlasting duo to host This Morning from Monday to Thursday following the departures of Ms Willoughby and Phillip Schofield quite than proceed with rotating presenters.

Ms Willoughby left in October after 14 years after an alleged kidnap plot towards her emerged. Schofield stop in May following a scandal over an affair with a youthful male colleague.

Bosses had additionally approached Emma Willis, who presents ITV’s The Voice, however the mother-of-three couldn’t decide to 4 days every week.

Christine Lampard, who’s married to former England footballer Frank Lampard and has two youngsters, is alleged to be ‘adored’ by ITV executives however has equally refused to work full time.

Irishman Craig Doyle, 52, is alleged to be the favoured male presenter.

Ben Shephard, who had been lined as much as be a part of Ms Willoughby earlier than she left, is known to be remaining at Good Morning Britain in the intervening time. 

Regular star Josie Gibson will entrance numerous exhibits from subsequent week and all through January whereas Alison Hammond seems in pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk on the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Bosses had additionally approached Emma Willis, who presents ITV’s The Voice, however the mother-of-three couldn’t decide to 4 days every week

Christine Lampard is alleged to be ‘adored’ by ITV executives however has equally refused to work full time

Irishman Craig Doyle, 52, is alleged to be the favoured male presenter (Pictured co-hosting with Cat Deeley)

Regular star Josie Gibson will entrance numerous exhibits from subsequent week after getting back from I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here!

Cat impressed viewers together with her visitor stint on This Morning (pictured with Rylan Clark) 

Andi Peters and pop singer Mollie King internet hosting This Morning 

However, regardless of her success on this 12 months’s I’m A Celebrity, Ms Gibson, 38, will not be thought of a contender for the principle anchor job in the mean time. 

Since she jetted out to the jungle, numerous different stars have hosted, together with pop singer Mollie King, Rylan Clark and Andi Peters.

Sources at ITV say there are different ‘potentials within the combine’, including: ‘Bosses are completely satisfied to attend to get it proper.

‘They aren’t dashing something and are dedicated to ready till they get the best pairing. It’s at all times been the goal to have a everlasting duo alongside Alison and Dermot [O’Leary].

‘But the shock silver lining to such a tricky 12 months for everybody on the present has been the success of the combination of presenters – among the nation’s favorite faces rotating.’

Ratings since Ms Willoughby left have been rising, ITV insiders say. November and December have seen the very best rankings of 2023, with peak audiences exceeding a million.