by Watch Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard’s first day on This Morning
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have completed their first week as full-time This Morning presenters, so how did they fare?
It was a challenge for ITV to replace presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Schofield resigned after his “illegal but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague last year. Just five months later, his co-host resigned after Willoughby was allegedly the target of a kidnapping and murder plot.
Their This Morning partnership lasted 14 years so it was only natural that ITV wanted to take their time to think about who the best replacements could be. Many presenters have been trialled on rotation from Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, to Rochelle Humes and Rylan Clark. The endless cycle of presenters started to frustrate the audience.
As soon as TV bosses set their hearts on Deeley, 47, and Shephard, 49, to take on the full-time roles from Monday to Thursday, fans couldn’t wait. After months of waiting, it’s no surprise that all eyes were on the duo Deeley and Shephard to present on their first day on March 11 and for the rest of this week.
This week Deeley and Shephard started giving people guidance in the morning from 10am to 12.30. It was a busy week for the stars who interviewed some of the UK’s biggest stars, including superstar Rod Stewart and Bake Off host Prue Leith.
We take a look at what Deeley and Shephard had to say as well as how This Morning fans reacted to the new hosts as the week progressed…
How did Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard find it?
After their first week, Deeley and Shephard revealed how they were really feeling about their new jobs on This Morning’s Instagram account. The two presenters celebrated a beautiful week together presenting the show.
Shephard said: “It’s been a good week hasn’t it?”
Agreeing that it had been a “really fun” week, his co-host said it was “very beautiful”. Deeley replied: “Yes, it was beautiful. It’s very beautiful.”
Shephard revealed how they were well looked after behind the scenes on This Morning. He added: “It was a lovely week. The team looked after us really well.
Deeley and Shephard also talked playfully about their new partnership but both agreed they had a lot of fun together and couldn’t wait until next week to get around. Deeley said: “You’re really all right. I don’t mind you.”
Shephard joked: “System that middling?”
Deeley mocked her co-host because she disagreed with him. Instead, she joked that he was “okay” to work with. “I wouldn’t say,” she said. “Okay.”
Shephard playfully shot back saying she exceeded his expectations. He said: “You were better than I expected… I have very low expectations. Trust me.”
Deeley joked that things could only get worse after the high-flying week. She said: “I’m starting up here, so it’s just downhill from here Shephard.”
On a more serious note, Shephard decided they had a great week. “Deeley is brilliant,” he said. “Thank you for a lovely week. We’ll do it all again next week.”
What did Yahoo columnist Ian Hyland say?
Yahoo entertainment columnist Ian Hyland ruled that it would take more than Shephard and Deeley to revive This Morning. He wrote: “I’m afraid it will take more than a few big-name new presenters for This Morning to break through the formidable barrier of ad-free and telephone competition. required.”
However, our columnist praised Shephard and Deeley for their excellent presenting skills after their first day on This Morning.
He added: “To be fair, Cat and Ben delivered their big line with gusto every time. And to be even fairer, they anchored the entire two and a half hour show.
“That’s no surprise. If ITV executives were looking for safe hands to steer This Morning out of its recent treacherous waters they could hardly have made a better choice.”
The social media verdict on Cat and Ben
At first This Morning fans complained about the hosts’ debut. Among the social media frenzy, one person said: “I at least expected the #In the morning logo to name the new permanent presenters from Monday to Thursday.”
Any complaint:” #ThisMorning ..same old set, theme tune, graphics and segments. Even the same opening titles – couldn’t resist putting in Ben and Cat like the old hosts before. This was the ITV had a chance to renew the program and move on from the past – and they missed it.”
Another said: “You could have started the NEW @thismorning 100 times better than this – horrible and embarrassing! #ThisMorning.”
As the week progressed, This Morning viewers celebrated the new hosts for being “refreshing” and completely different from the other presenters. Among the comments, one person wrote: “I like Ben and Cat… much more refreshing…”
Others said: “How much more relaxing #thismorning is without the constant giggling from Smugfield and Willoughby who thought they were so funny, but weren’t. Ben and Cat are great.”
“Cat is so happy back, loving her back in the day with Ant and Dec! It’s great to see someone refreshing and not trying to copy Holly’s style.”
“Finally, it was a great change from two professional presenters to meet Alison and ministerial candidate Dermot, with their constant annoying interruptions. Well done ITV.”
“How exciting #thismorning is without the constant giggling from Smugfield and Willoughby who thought they were so funny, but weren’t. Ben and Cat are great.”
Well done Deeley and Shephard, we can’t wait for next week…
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