Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard shared their excitement as they kicked off their first This Morning as the show’s new permanent hosts.
The duo have taken over from Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, who co-hosted ITV1’s flagship morning programme together for 14 years before they both left in 2023.
Opening Monday’s show, Deeley said: “We are so excited to be here. This show has been a huge part of our lives for so long right? So to actually be standing here with you, it's good.
“It is very special. We're thrilled to be here and we've got a packed show and lineup coming your way and one has been so kind thank you to everybody who has sent us lovely messages of support,” Shephard added.
Following their opening comments, viewers rushed to social media to share their first impressions of the pairing - and fans seem impressed so far.
One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Might’ve had the wrong first impression about Ben and Cat. Give me another 2 hours but they seem to be doing pretty well #ThisMorning”. “Love @catdeeley and @benshephard already @thismorning #thismorning,” another shared.
Might’ve had the wrong first impression about Ben and Cat. Give me another 2 hours but they seem to be doing pretty well #ThisMorning
— Stephanie (@StephsMoansx) March 11, 2024
A third added: “Love Cat and Ben already. So fresh. Just a shame a new set wasn’t brought in too. It’s so old now.”
Prior to their first show together, ITV released a teaser on Monday morning to their social media, which followed a member of the crew wandering around the studios preparing their debut.
Adjusting their self-portraits on the wall, the crew member also placed brand new mugs with their initials on and knocked on their dressing room doors to hurry them up.
He said: “Ben Shephard, this is your four minute call” then “Cat Deeley...”, to which she responded: “On the way!”
The crew added: “It's showtime!”
On February 16, the duo were announced as the new presenters in a video which showed Shephard walking down the production corridor of the ITV show and placing a new photo of Deeley on the wall, before turning to the camera to say: “See you soon.”
Deeley’s photo then became animated as she winked to viewers.
The pair will host from Monday to Thursday, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary presenting on Fridays.
Deeley, 47, rose to fame as a presenter of Saturday morning ITV children’s programme SM:TV Live alongside Ant and Dec and its spin-off music programme CD:UK with Willoughby.
She is also known for hosting ITV’s Stars In Their Eyes, the BBC’s Fame Academy and American competition show So You Think You Can Dance, which she presented for more than a decade.
Shephard, 49, is known for fronting the ITV quiz show Tipping Point and co-hosting ITV1’s breakfast show Good Morning Britain (GMB).
He left GMB in February in order to front This Morning, which he has previously presented on as a replacement for Schofield.
Shephard has also presented on the now-defunct GMTV and reality spin-off show The Xtra Factor.
Deeley has also presented on This Morning previously and co-hosted alongside Rylan Clark in November last year.
In October, Willoughby left the show, saying she had made the “decision for me and my family”.
