Ben Shephard 'refused to sign This Morning contract until he knew who co-host was'
18.02.2024 - 15:53
/ ok.co.uk
Ben Shephard reportedly "refused to sign" his This Morning contract until "he knew who he'd be working with." The Good Morning Britain star was announced as one of the new permanent hosts of the ITV show last week, alongside So You Think You Can Dance's Cat Deeley. However, it's been claimed that 49 year old Ben "held off" from announcing his latest career move until Cat fully committed to the role.
After months of speculation about who will replace Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield after their shock departures last year, both Ben and Cat have now officially accepted the lucrative role, and will be starting on the iconic ITV programme full time from March. It was reported that due to Cat's commitments in the US, the relaunch of This Morning had to be pushed back.
An insider said that she needed to fulfil her contract in the states and "wanted to make sure she was doing the right thing by them." Ben and Cat will present the show from Mondays to Thursdays, while Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will continue to host on Friday mornings. On Friday 16 February, the This Morning Instagram account posted a promo clip of Ben and Cat in the wake of the news.
Ben was filmed hanging up a portrait of Cat on the studio walls, before turning around to tell the cameras: "See you soon." The caption read: "It's official! Say hello to our new #ThisMorning presenters… @benshephardofficial & @catdeeley! Welcome to the family. We can't wait to see you soon!" The account also posted singular shots of Ben and Cat, accompanied by quotes from the new presenters gushing over joining the show.
Ben said: "This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It's an honour to be trusted
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