THIS Morning’s stand-in hosts have now been revealed – as Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard enjoy a two-week break from the ITV daytime show.
Despite only fronting their first This Morning together in March – as permanent replacements for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield– the duo are now absent from screens during the Easter holidays.
The Sun can exclusively reveal that Alison Hammond, 49, and Dermot O’Leary, 50, will be steering the ship until mid-month.
An ITV spokesperson was first to tell The Sun: “Alison and Dermot will front This Morning during this time until Ben and Cat return on Monday 15th April.”
They will present the show’s five-weekly instalments until then.
Ben, 49, and Cat, 47, – who have been dubbed a “safe choice” for show anchors – confirmed the news of their upcoming absence during last Thursday’s episode, saying they will be going “on holiday”.
Yet Dermot and Alison’s stand-in stint got off to a chaotic start on April Fool’s day when Dermot played a cheeky prank.
He convinced his presenting partner that a vase was worth thousands of pounds before knocking it off a plinth.
The trick – involving the cheap piece of crockery – was then exposed after she was left lost for words at the apparent mishap.
REAL DEAL
The Sun was first to confirm the Ben and Cat’s big-money ITV contracts in December.
At the time, a source said: “Lots of people were considered. Ultimately it’s about chemistry.”
They added: “This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right.
“Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.”
Ex Good Morning Britain anchor Ben fought back tears on his last GMB, which aired on February 23.
At the time, he spoke out about how leaving his show “wife” Kate Garraway, 56, was the “hardest decision” he had to make.
Meanwhile, he reportedly refused to sign his This Morning contract until he knew who he co-presenter would be.
Show bosses then made crucial changes to the set to welcome Cat and Ben to their new positions.
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