In a surprising twist that has set social media ablaze, This Morning hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard recently announced they would be temporarily stepping away from their roles as the main presenters of the beloved ITV daytime show. The duo, who took over as permanent hosts in March 2024 following the dramatic departures of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, revealed that a new pair would be filling their shoes for a week, sparking a wave of reactions from fans. The announcement, made via This Morning’s official Instagram account, confirmed that Dermot O’Leary and Siân Welby would take over hosting duties from Monday, April 7, 2025. While some viewers welcomed the change as a fresh dynamic, others expressed frustration, highlighting the ongoing challenges This Morning faces in stabilizing its presenter lineup. This article delves into the details of this hosting shake-up, the fan reactions, and what it means for the future of the iconic program.
The Context: A Year of Turmoil for This Morning
To understand the significance of this temporary replacement, it’s essential to revisit the turbulent journey This Morning has endured over the past two years. The show, a staple of British daytime television, was rocked by controversy in 2023 when long-time hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby exited amid personal and professional scandals. Schofield’s departure in May 2023 followed his admission of an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague, which he initially lied about, leading to a media firestorm. Willoughby, his co-host of 14 years, left in October 2023, citing personal reasons, including a reported plot to kidnap and murder her. These exits left This Morning in disarray, with viewership plummeting and a rotating cast of guest presenters, including Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Josie Gibson, and Rylan Clark, stepping in to fill the void.
Enter Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, announced as the new permanent hosts in February 2024 after months of speculation. Deeley, a familiar face from her days on SMTV Live and So You Think You Can Dance in the US, brought a vibrant energy, while Shephard, a seasoned presenter from Good Morning Britain, added a sense of professionalism. Their debut on March 11, 2024, was met with optimism, with the pair pulling in 1.02 million viewers for their first episode, among the show’s highest ratings of the year. ITV bosses celebrated a 5% increase in viewership compared to 2023, and the duo’s chemistry was praised by some as a “breath of fresh air.” However, not all fans were convinced, with criticisms ranging from Deeley’s perceived over-enthusiasm to a lack of significant changes in the show’s format, which some called “dated.”
The Announcement: Dermot O’Leary and Siân Welby Step In
The recent announcement that Deeley and Shephard would be replaced for a week came as a surprise to many, given their relatively short tenure as main hosts. The news was shared in a lively Instagram video, where Siân Welby, a 38-year-old presenter known for her work on Capital Breakfast and occasional This Morning appearances, expressed excitement about co-hosting with Dermot O’Leary, a 51-year-old veteran of the show who regularly hosts the Friday editions alongside Alison Hammond. “We’re back together on Monday, I love this!” Welby exclaimed, while O’Leary added, “For a whole week. Looking forward to it.” The temporary switch, which began on April 7, 2025, was reportedly due to Deeley and Shephard taking a scheduled break, possibly for other filming commitments or personal time, though specific reasons were not disclosed.
This shake-up is not the first time Deeley and Shephard have been temporarily replaced. Over the Easter break in 2024, Hammond and O’Leary stepped in, earning praise for their “bumper” performances. More recently, in November 2024, Shephard’s absence for another ITV project saw Deeley paired with presenters like Andi Peters and O’Leary, with mixed reactions. The decision to bring in O’Leary and Welby, a less familiar duo, has reignited debates about the show’s direction and the suitability of its hosts.
Fan Reactions: A Divided Audience
The fan response to this hosting change has been polarized, reflecting the broader challenges This Morning faces in regaining its former glory. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been a battleground for viewers to air their opinions. Some fans welcomed O’Leary and Welby, praising their potential to bring a new dynamic. One viewer posted, “Siân and Dermot are a great combo! Fresh and fun, exactly what #ThisMorning needs.” O’Leary, a fan favorite for his warm and relaxed style, has long been championed as a candidate for the main hosting role, with some suggesting he and Hammond should take over permanently. Welby, though less experienced on This Morning, has garnered support “‘It’s still relatively early days, but the signs are not good,’ one insider noted, pointing to a dip in viewership to six figures after the initial hype of Deeley and Shephard’s debut.” for her bubbly personality and radio background, with comments like, “Siân’s energy is infectious. Hope she gets more chances!”
However, others expressed disappointment, with some fans loyal to Deeley and Shephard feeling the constant changes undermine the show’s stability. “Why keep switching hosts? Cat and Ben were just settling in. It’s a mess #ThisMorning,” one viewer wrote. Critics of Deeley have pointed to her presenting style, with complaints about her “interrupting” or “childish” demeanor, as seen in earlier feedback where Shephard had to gently tell her to “listen and stop talking” during a fashion segment. Meanwhile, Shephard’s absence has led to speculation about his commitment, with some fans noting, “Ben’s always off filming something else. Maybe he’s not all in for #ThisMorning.”
A significant portion of the discontent stems from the show’s failure to evolve beyond its hosts. Fans have repeatedly called for a refreshed set, updated opening credits featuring Deeley and Shephard, and new segments to distinguish their era from that of Schofield and Willoughby. One X user summed it up: “Love Cat & Ben, but the show feels stuck in 2009. Same set, same vibes. No wonder viewers are switching off.” This sentiment was echoed in March 2024, when viewers complained that the “new era” promised by ITV felt like “business as usual,” with no significant overhaul to the program’s aesthetic or content.
The Bigger Picture: Challenges and Opportunities
The temporary replacement of Deeley and Shephard highlights the broader challenges facing This Morning. The show has struggled to recover from the 2023 scandals, which not only cost it viewers but also led to allegations of a “toxic” workplace culture. Former contributor Dr. Ranj Singh and others spoke out about bullying and discrimination behind the scenes, claims ITV’s chief executive refuted. The loss of the National Television Award in September 2023, after 13 years of dominance, underscored the show’s declining popularity. While Deeley and Shephard have stabilized viewership to an extent—averaging 806,000 for their debut week and peaking at 4.5 million in a single week—the show still lags behind BBC’s Morning Live, which benefits from a stronger lead-in from BBC Breakfast.
ITV’s decision to stick with Deeley and Shephard, despite mixed fan reactions, suggests confidence in their long-term potential. Insiders report that Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of television, “adores” Deeley, and both hosts have the “full support” of the network. The departure of long-time editor Martin Frizell, announced in November 2024 and set for spring 2025, raises questions about the show’s future direction, but ITV has assured that Deeley and Shephard’s roles are secure. Their return on September 2, 2024, after a summer break, was marked by a high-energy promotional shoot atop the Television Centre, signaling ITV’s commitment to their brand.
The introduction of O’Leary and Welby, even temporarily, offers an opportunity to test new dynamics. O’Leary’s experience and Welby’s fresh perspective could attract younger viewers, a demographic This Morning has struggled to retain. Past experiments, like the Coin Drop competition announced in June 2024 with a £20,000 prize, show ITV’s willingness to innovate, though fans have been skeptical of gimmicks like early Christmas segments, which sparked outrage in September 2024 for being “out of touch.”
What’s Next for This Morning?
As This Morning navigates this latest chapter, the focus remains on finding a balance between honoring its legacy and adapting to a changing media landscape. Deeley and Shephard’s temporary absence and the introduction of O’Leary and Welby underscore the show’s ongoing experimentation. While some fans clamor for permanent changes—whether it’s elevating O’Leary and Hammond or introducing new faces like Rylan Clark and Rob Rinder—others believe Deeley and Shephard deserve more time to grow into their roles.
The fan divide reflects a deeper truth: This Morning is at a crossroads. To regain its status as a “national institution,” as Deeley described it, the show must address viewer demands for a modernized format while leveraging the strengths of its hosts. Whether this temporary shake-up is a blip or a sign of more changes to come, one thing is clear: This Morning remains a topic of fervent discussion, with fans invested in its every move. As Deeley and Shephard prepare to return, the question lingers—can they steer the show back to its glory days, or will the revolving door of presenters continue to spin?
