Are new presenters Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard set to be replaced already?
They’ve been at the helm for only three months, but Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard are already facing the wrath of critical This Morning viewers.
From being told they’re ‘trying too hard’ and ‘don’t work’ as a partnership to dwindling viewing figures – dropping from an average of 806,000 and a peak of one million on their first show to a low of just 692,500 the following week – the pressure is really on for the pair.
And with the likes of fan-favourite Josie Gibson likely waiting in the wings, could time already be up for Cat and Ben?
Dipping ratings
Last month, it was reported that viewing figures had plummeted since Cat and Ben took over. While their debut brought in the show’s highest ratings of 2024 so far, the following week the ratings were lower than Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s last day, which saw 767,000 people tune in.
A source revealed, ‘The hope was that the new duo would bring an air of stability and familiarity back to This Morning. It’s still relatively early days, but the signs are not good. After the initial flurry of interest on their first day in the job, the viewing figures almost immediately dipped back into six figures. ITV bosses will be hoping they can turn things around before the next big milestone date as they’ve so much riding on Ben and Cat being a success.’
Ben said of the ratings, ‘It’s not something I really worry about. From our perspective, we just want to make the best show we can possibly make. The reaction we have had has been brilliant and I am loving it.’
But what will be more worrying is reports that ITV is holding ‘crisis talks’ and that some of its biggest presenters could be facing a pay freeze. The channel is also thought to be switching long-term roles to three-month contracts, in a bid to cut costs.
A source revealed, ‘ITV is tightening its belt. There have been concerns for months at the top but now it’s trickled down to the shop floor it feels very depressing. A lot of staff are being put on three-month contracts.’
Unhappy viewers
Since they started as permanent presenters in March, fans have made it clear that they’re struggling to warm to Cat, 47, and Ben, 49. ‘These two do not work,’ one said,
