Viewers reacted to This Morning unveiling their new permanent presenters, Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, on Friday.
The pair, aged 47 and 49 respectively, have been locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Fans say they think Ben and Cat are a ‘safe’ choice who will help stir the This Morning ship to sturdier waters from next month.
Phil, 61, departed the show in May after more than 20 years on the programme after admitting to an affair with a young male showrunner, followed by claims of an increasingly strained relationship with his co-host Holly.
Months later, Holly, 43, left the show in October ‘for the sake of her family’ after discovering she was the target of a foiled kidnap and murder plot.
Viewers reacted to This Morning unveiling their new permanent presenters, Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, on Friday
The pair, aged 47 and 49 respectively, have been locked in talks for some months following the exit of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (pictured last February)
While some hailed the new duo as ‘class acts’, others felt Craig Doyle, 53, and Josie Gibson, 39, who have fronted This Morning for months, were more worthy of the gig.
Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts after Cat and Ben’s signing was announced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary on Friday’s show.
They wrote: ‘I think Ben will be great maybe a bit safe but it’s what the show needs right now verdict still out on Cat.’
‘At last this morning have got 2 fabulous presenters’ and ‘Great news… but I still think Josie and Craig deserved better than this.’
‘What about Josie and Craig?’ and ‘Ben & Cat as new presenters? Absolutely brilliant news!!’
‘At last This Morning have got two fabulous presenters,’ said another.
The new hosts were announced ng their introductory video of Ben walking backstage in the studio.
Many of the This Morning presenters shared their congratulatory messages on Instagram.
While some hailed the new duo as ‘class acts’, others felt Craig Doyle, 53, and Josie Gibson , 39, who have fronted This Morning for months were more worthy of the gig
Viewers took to X, formerly Twitter , to share their thoughts after Cat and Ben’s signing was announced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary on Friday’s show.
Craig showed there was no hard feelings as he wrote: ‘Congratulations guys… did someone say drinks?, with Josie adding: ‘I feel a work welcome party coming on!’
Rochelle Humes wrote: ‘Eeek’.
Dermot said: ‘Huzzah! Welcome to the fam’.
Talking about the new signings on the show, Dermot said: I’ve known Cat for so long’
Alison first met Cat at a party in Los Angeles about four years ago and they bonded over both being from Birmingham.
She told him: ‘I met her in LA. We’re both Brummies. I met her about four years ago, we met in LA at a party.’
‘We are so, so happy they are joining the family Ben and Cat.’
This Morning’s new permanent host Cat was said to be in a stand-off with ITV bosses over her new post and her role on So You Think You Can Dance (pictured on the show in November)
On Thursday, insiders revealed Cat, 47, and Ben Shephard, 49, had scooped the coveted roles of permanent hosts (pictured on the show in September)
Many of the This Morning presenters shared their congratulatory messages on Instagram
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