This Morning: Can the ITV show be saved? Fans believe the show is 'dying a slow death'
More under this adThis Morning has been going through a lot of changes in the last few months. Will the fans keep tuning in?
2023 has been complicated for ITV’s star program This Morning. Between rumours of feuds between the two hosts, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, and the latter’s scandal ending with him resigning, the show has seen better days.
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Now that the scandal around Phillip Schofield has quieted down a bit, ITV is trying to find a way to salvage the program but once again things aren’t easy. A lot of changes are continually occurring and fans of the program are getting tired.
More under this adMore under this adCan This Morning survive and will fans tune back in September?
Repeated changes are getting fans upset
Since the end of May 2023, This Morning has seen many changes. The biggest one is Phillip Schofield’s resignation after hosting the show since 2002. His resignation followed what was probably one of the biggest TV scandals of 2023.
Following Schofield’s resignation, viewers were left without both of the hosts as Willoughby decided to take a week off air. When she came back, her statement was not well received with viewers vehemently commenting their distaste. The word ‘fake’ was often used and already the future of the show was questioned by its own viewers.
More under this adMore under this adRead more: Holly Willoughby could be the new host of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing according to insider
Then, Holly Willoughby was seen on air with various hosts such as Alison Hammond or, fan favourite, Craig Doyle. This meant a few weeks full of change.
More under this adMore under this adNow that we are in the summer, fans are left with replacement hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary as Willoughby has taken her annual summer leave. Being left with Hammond and O’Leary has received mixed reviews.
Some are thrilled, praising the pair for their long term chemistry:
Love these two make them permanent pleaseMore under this adMore under this ad
Loved the show today & totally love you two Alison & Dermot you bounce off each other. You are just pure joy. XX ❤️💋
Love you guys on this morning, really make me laugh so much. The two of you are very infectious 😊🥰 xxMore under this adMore under this ad
While others just crave for things to get back to normal and to have Holly Willoughby back.
The final change was announced on 23 July as rumours started going around that ITV had chosen not to replace Phillip Schofield but instead to have Holly Willoughby host with a ‘rotation of co-hosts.’
‘Nothing will save the show now’
On GBNews, on 24 July, former Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie commented on the future of the program. According to him, this reported change placing Willoughby at the centre of the show won’t be enough to save it.
More under this adMore under this adHe says:
‘Nothing will save the show now. These shows have a shelf life and normally the public tire of it.’
In his statement MacKenzie continues and points out the repeated rumours of feuds between the different stars of the show. These rumours have been about Willoughby and Hammond, Willoughby and Schofielf, Hammond and O’Leary and they are ongoing.
More under this adMore under this adMacKenzie says:
Nobody seems to be getting on with each other. (...) Nothing is going to work nowMore under this adMore under this ad
Read more:Dan Wootton scandal: Journalists exposing the GB News host are getting 'threatening phone calls"
While MacKenzie’s words could be seen as just another media commentator issuing his opinion, some fans echo them. On This Morning’s more recent Facebook post about another schedule change due to the Women’s World Cups fans are raging.
Could you change the presenters then I will watch again!More under this adMore under this ad
This programme is on its back legs. Dying a slow death. Needs new blood and new format desperately
No thank you im done with this program!!More under this adMore under this ad
Read more: Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: This Morning hosts could be reunited sooner than expected
Sources:
Daily Mail: ‘EXCLUSIVE - Holly Willoughby in charge as ITV bosses decide not to replace Phillip Schofield: Star will present This Morning with a rotation of co-hosts when she returns from her summer break - as she prepares to sign a new deal to save show’