Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley have finally been announced as the new presenting duo for This Morning after weeks of speculation.
The pair take over from the previous permanent hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, who both left ITV's flagship morning show last year.
Schofield quit the show last May after he admitted he lied about an affair with a younger male colleague.
Then months later, Willoughby, who had presented the show for 14 years, revealed she was stepping away from the daytime series in October.
Ever since, the show has been fronted by a different roster of presenters, including Craig Doyle, Rylan Clark, Emma Willis and I’m a Celebrity contestant Josie Gibson, alongside the hosts of Friday episodes, Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond.
Now it’s been confirmed that Deeley, 47, and Shephard, 49, will become a permanent fixtures on the mid-morning stalwart.
Shephard, who hosts Good Morning Britain, 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 reins, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job.
"For the last 10 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."
Deeley said: "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."
The pair will make their debut hosting This Morning next month and will front the Monday to Thursday shows, with Hammond and O’Leary on Fridays.
Speaking of the new host, 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.”
