Dermot O’Leary has left fans astounded by his youthful appearance as he celebrated his 50th birthday on Wednesday.
The This Morning presenter told his Instagram followers that he marked the milestone occasion with a wild swim, brunch and steak dinner while posing with gold ‘50’ balloons.
The BBC Radio 2 host captioned his post: “Thanks a million for all the lovely messages. Wild swim, brunch, walk, steak. 50… not so bad so far. Dx.”
Fans of the broadcaster were left in disbelief over his milestone birthday and shared their surprise over his age while posting their birthday wishes.
One wrote under the post: “They got the numbers wrong surely! Happy birthday”.
“Absolutely no way you are 50,” another commented. “Look like 35 mate. Happy birthday”.
A fourth remarked: “Happy Birthday O’Leary. You are seriously rocking 50”.
His birthday post comes after Phillip Schofield’s shock departure from This Morning amid a reported feud with co-host Holly Willoughby.
Since Schofield’s announcement last Saturday, O’Leary has emerged as the bookies favourite to replace him on the ITV show after already presenting the Friday installment with Alison Hammond.
Currently, the TV star and Hammond are fronting the ITV mid-morning stalwart Monday to Thursday for the next two weeks until Willoughby returns on June 5.
In light of the scandal, bookies William Hill revealed that O’Leary is the 5/2 joint-market fave alongside Vernon Kay to become the show’s permanent weekday host.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: “As rumours intensify about Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s off-air relationship on ITV’s This Morning, we’ve seen backing for Friday presenter Dermot O’Leary to replace Schofield over the next few days.”
On Saturday, veteran broadcaster Schofield announced he was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk show with “immediate effect” after more than 20 years on the programme.
Willoughby, who has hosted alongside Schofield since 2009, will remain on the show but she is taking early half-term holiday leave.
ITV has said the 42-year-old will “co-present with members of the This Morning family” when she returns.
Last Thursday marked Schofield’s last day on the show as he said he will not be returning for a final episode.
His departure comes after he faced months of controversy including reports of a rift with his long-time co-host Willoughby, his brother’s sex abuse trial and a furore over his visit to the late Queen’s lying-in-state.
