ITV’s This Morning, a cornerstone of British daytime television for over three decades, is no stranger to controversy, but the latest drama surrounding its hosts has pushed fan tensions to a boiling point. In May 2025, viewers took to social media, particularly X, to demand the immediate removal of Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, who joined as permanent hosts in March 2024. The uproar coincided with a guest stint by Rylan Clark and Emma Willis, whose effortless chemistry and vibrant energy sparked widespread calls for them to take over permanently. Posts on X, including one from user @tidy_christine praising Clark and Willis as “absolutely the best pairing ever,” reflect a growing sentiment that Shephard and Deeley are failing to connect with audiences. What’s driving this backlash, and could Clark and Willis be the saviors This Morning needs? Let’s explore the hosting shake-up, the fan frenzy, and the high stakes for one of TV’s most iconic shows.
This Morning has been a daily ritual for millions since 1988, blending celebrity interviews, lifestyle segments, and viewer call-ins with a mix of warmth and wit. Its hosting roster, from Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, has always been central to its appeal. When Schofield and Willoughby departed in 2023 amid personal scandals—Schofield’s affair and Willoughby’s response to a reported kidnap threat—the show faced a turbulent period, cycling through temporary hosts like Dermot O’Leary and Josie Gibson. Shephard, a 50-year-old veteran of Good Morning Britain and Tipping Point, and Deeley, a 48-year-old presenter known for So You Think You Can Dance in the U.S., were announced as the new faces in February 2024, tasked with stabilizing the program. ITV hoped their experience and likability would restore the show’s luster, but 14 months later, fans are anything but satisfied.
The backlash against Shephard and Deeley began almost immediately. Viewers criticized their lack of chemistry, with some on X calling their banter “forced” and “awkward.” Deeley, despite her polished presenting skills, faced scrutiny for her Americanized style, which some felt clashed with the show’s quintessentially British tone. A Mirror report from April 2024 noted complaints about her “over-the-top” enthusiasm, with one viewer tweeting, “Cat’s trying too hard to be Holly, and it’s not working.” Shephard, meanwhile, was seen as “too safe,” lacking the spark of predecessors like Schofield. His serious demeanor, honed on news-driven Good Morning Britain, struggled to adapt to This Morning’s lighter segments, such as cooking demos or fashion tips. By May 2025, fan discontent had reached a fever pitch, with posts on X demanding, “Get Ben and Cat off This Morning ASAP—they’re ruining it.”
The catalyst for the latest uproar was a May 2025 episode guest-hosted by Rylan Clark and Emma Willis. Clark, 36, rose to fame on The X Factor and has since become a TV darling, hosting Supermarket Sweep and appearing on This Morning as a regular contributor. Willis, 49, is a seasoned presenter known for Big Brother and The Voice UK, with a warm, relatable style. Their stint, covering for Shephard and Deeley during a brief absence, was a revelation. Theავ
Viewers praised their natural rapport, with Clark’s cheeky humor complementing Willis’s calm professionalism. A post on X from @tidy_christine captured the sentiment: “Oh @thismorning, you missed a beat there, @EmmaWillis and @Rylan absolutely the best pairing ever… 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.” Clips of the episode, shared widely online, showed the duo effortlessly handling a chaotic cooking segment, with Clark joking about his culinary mishaps and Willis playfully ribbing him. Fans flooded ITV’s social media with pleas to make them permanent hosts, with one user writing, “Rylan and Emma have the spark Ben and Cat lack—make it happen!”
The contrast between the pairs is stark. Shephard and Deeley’s tenure has been plagued by viewer fatigue, exacerbated by a string of PR missteps. In July 2024, Deeley faced backlash for laughing during a segment on domestic abuse, prompting an on-air apology after 3,212 Ofcom complaints, as reported by Express. Shephard, meanwhile, was criticized for a perceived lack of engagement with guests, with a Daily Mail source noting that crew members found him “disinterested” off-camera. These incidents fueled a narrative that the duo is out of touch with the show’s audience, which skews toward women aged 35-55 who value relatability and warmth.
Clark and Willis, by contrast, bring a fresh dynamic. Clark’s openness about his mental health struggles and 2021 divorce, shared on This Morning segments, has endeared him to viewers, who see him as authentic and empathetic. Willis, a mother of three, connects through her down-to-earth stories about family life, a hallmark of her Big Brother days. Their ability to balance humor with sensitivity was evident in a May 2025 segment addressing menopause, where Willis shared personal anecdotes and Clark offered lighthearted support, earning praise on X as “the perfect mix of real and fun.” This resonance is critical for This Morning, which thrives on hosts who feel like friends to viewers.
The fan demand for Shephard and Deeley’s removal reflects deeper issues with This Morning’s direction. The show has struggled to regain its pre-2023 viewership, dropping from 1.2 million daily viewers to under 800,000 by April 2025, per Broadcast data. Competition from BBC’s Morning Live, hosted by Gethin Jones and Michelle Ackerley, has intensified, with its focus on practical advice and diverse representation drawing younger audiences. This Morning’s reliance on celebrity interviews and lifestyle fluff, critics argue, feels dated, and Shephard and Deeley haven’t modernized the format effectively. A Telegraph column in March 2025 suggested the show needs “a bold reboot” to survive, pointing to Clark’s youth appeal and Willis’s versatility as potential solutions.
ITV’s response to the backlash remains unclear. A Mirror report from May 2025 cited sources saying bosses are “monitoring” Shephard and Deeley’s performance but have no immediate plans to replace them, given their contracts run through 2025. However, the network has a history of swift changes—Schofield and Willoughby were replaced within months of their scandals. Clark and Willis, already ITV regulars, are low-risk options, though their availability is a hurdle. Clark’s commitments to Dating Naked UK and Willis’s work on The Voice Kids could complicate scheduling. Still, their guest stint boosted ratings by 15%, per The Sun, suggesting a permanent switch could reverse the show’s decline.
The controversy also highlights the power of social media in shaping TV narratives. X posts, like @tidy_christine’s five-star review, amplify viewer sentiment, pressuring ITV to act. Fans have even launched petitions on Change.org, one garnering 5,000 signatures by May 7, 2025, urging Clark and Willis’s appointment. This mirrors past campaigns, such as the 2021 push to remove Schofield, showing how vocal audiences can influence casting. Yet, not all fans agree—some on X defend Shephard and Deeley, with one user arguing, “Ben and Cat are fine; people just hate change.” This divide underscores the challenge of pleasing a diverse viewership.
The broader context reflects a turbulent era for daytime TV. Budget cuts, as reported by Broadcast, have strained This Morning’s production, with fewer live segments and reliance on pre-recorded content. The departure of key figures like Willoughby, now hosting For The Love of Dogs, and the axing of rival shows like Lorraine’s weekend slot, signal a shrinking market. This Morning must evolve to compete, and Clark and Willis’s modern appeal—youthful, inclusive, and digitally savvy—could be the key.
As the debate rages, Shephard and Deeley face mounting pressure to prove their worth. Their next few months will be critical, with ITV likely to assess viewer feedback and ratings post-summer. For Clark and Willis, the guest stint has elevated their profiles, positioning them as frontrunners if changes are made. For fans, the saga is a reminder of This Morning’s emotional hold—hosts aren’t just presenters but daily companions. Whether Shephard and Deeley stay or Clark and Willis take over, the fight for the sofa is a drama worthy of the show’s legacy.
