This Morning viewers deliver their judgment as Cat Deeley takes on the role of the new host
The 47-year-old host co-presented with Rylan Clark.
The This Morning sofa underwent a noticeable change on Monday morning as new presenter Cat Deeley helmed the show alongside Rylan Clark. Social media has been buzzing with viewers expressing their opinions on the duo’s debut.
The former SMTV Live star is scheduled to lead the programme until Wednesday, co-hosting with Rylan on Monday and Tuesday, and partnering with Craig Doyle on her final day.
Come Thursday, Alison Hammond will step in alongside Craig, and then on Friday, Dermot O’Leary will join the Birmingham-born star for their regular show.
On X platform, viewers showered praise on the new addition to the programme, with one individual describing Cat and Rylan’s partnership as a “dream team.”
“Ah, it’s delightful to see Cat Deeley presenting with Rylan. Dream Team,” remarked one viewer, while another urged, “Give Cat the job permanently.”
A third individual took to Twitter, addressing Rylan with the message: “@Rylan great partnership with Cat today on This Morning.” Another Twitter user chimed in, saying, “I already feel in safe hands with Cat Deeley. And of course, Rylan is always a delight.”
It was evident that Cat and Rylan had a strong rapport while hosting together, sharing a light-hearted moment at the beginning of the show.
Following the introduction of Monday’s programme, Cat playfully asked her co-host, “Can you believe they’ve allowed two of the cheekiest individuals in television to grace ITV?”
Rylan remarked, “This marks the official conclusion.”
Cat then disclosed that it wasn’t her inaugural stint as a host on the programme, citing her prior collaboration with Paul O’Grady on the couch during the celebration of Cilla Black’s 60th birthday in 2003.
The television personality affirmed her new role via Instagram over the weekend, sharing ITV’s announcement that stated: “Commencing Monday, commence your week with Cat Deeley and Rylan on #ThisMorning! Tune in from 10 am on ITV1, ITVX, and STV.”
In the comment section, the 47-year-old quipped, “They’re having a laugh!!!” accompanied by a crying laughing emoji.
Cat also featured on Rylan’s BBC Radio 2 programme last Saturday, expressing her astonishment at securing the role. “Can you believe it?” she queried her co-host. “They’ve set us loose. I mean, who in their right mind… I don’t know who’s in charge, clearly no one.”
In jest, Rylan suggested that the duo could “put that final nail in the coffin” after a challenging year for the show.
Cat is a familiar face on our screens, thanks to her diverse presenting roles. Her career kicked off as the host of the ITV children’s show SMTV Live, followed by stints on CD:UK and Fame Academy.
Since 2006, she has been at the helm of the American reality show, So You Think You Can Dance.
ITV has yet to address Cat’s future on This Morning. This comes amid speculation that Josie Gibson might be entering the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! jungle.
This Morning has faced a period of upheaval in the past few months with the exits of its primary hosts, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
In May, Phillip bid farewell to ITV after acknowledging a romantic involvement with a younger colleague on the show. He characterised the relationship as “imprudent but not against the law.”
Subsequently, in October, Holly disclosed her departure from the programme after a 14-year tenure. In a statement posted on social media, the mother-of-three cited family considerations as the driving force behind her decision.
