Cat Deeley has pulled out of being This Morning's new permanent presenter, here's the reason why

Ever since Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby quit This Morning, ITV bosses have been looking for a replacement for them. Philip was forced to quit the show in May after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague. Meanwhile, Holly left in October 14 years after an alleged kidnap plot against her emerged.

Ever since then, ITV has been looking for a permanent duo to present This Morning and Cat Deeley was a frontrunner to replace Holly Willoughby.

Cat Deeley snubs This Morning gig to return to US show

The permanent presenters are supposed to host the show from Monday to Thursday every week. After Phil and Holly, a set of rotating presenters is being used to fill the void. Stars like pop singer Mollie King, Rylan Clark and Andi Peters have hosted the show so far.

This Morning’s ratings have been at an all-time high since Holly’s exit with November and December seeing the highest ratings of 2023. However, they still wanted a permanent duo to host the show. It was recently revealed that Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard were set to be the new Phil and Holly, however, ITV’s plans have hit a snag.

Reportedly, the 47-year-old has snubbed the This Morning gig to return to America to host So You Think You Can Dance instead. Cat has hosted the US dance show since 2005 and will continue to do so next year as well. Her decision to return to the series means that the mother-of-two only has a few weeks in February and March before she heads to the US to host the live shows until June.

A source told MailOnline:

There are a lot of people [at ITV] pulling their hair out right now.

The relaunch date was supposed to be in January but that is no way going to happen now.

Cat was the answer. She would have been an absolute triumph but they just couldn't make it work. Now it is a case of back to the drawing board to decide a new plan of action.

ITV bosses have so far been rejected by The Voice presenter Emma Willis and Christine Lampard. The search for a new permanent host is still ongoing for ITV as despite her success in the jungle, Josie Gibson is not a preferred name to host the show.

Read More

⋙ Who is Cat Deeley's husband Patrick Kielty? Meet the presenter and comedian

⋙ Josie Gibson: Who is the This Morning host and what is her net worth?

⋙ Ben Shephard may soon take This Morning hosting responsibilities after Phillip Schofield

Source Used

Daily Mail: Headache for This Morning bosses as Cat Deeley turns down chance to replace Holly Willoughby to host So You Think You Can Dance in America instead