PRESENTERS Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley are set for big-money deals as the new faces of This Morning.
ITV bosses have chosen them to replace Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
A source said “Lots of people were considered. Ultimately it’s about chemistry.”
Ben’s clean-cut image was seen as a huge factor in him getting the nod — while Cat proved popular during a recent presenting stint on the show’s sofa.
Last night a source said: “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.
“He’s an extremely safe pair of hands, has real gravitas, and doesn’t have a whiff of scandal around him — he’s purer than pure.
“Cat is the number one target to replace Holly, but negotiations are ongoing.
“Lots of people were considered, but ultimately it’s all about chemistry.
“Everyone is very excited, and the sense is that Ben and Cat will be a real boost to morale on the ground.”
Pay for the new duo is understood to be around £550,000 each — £150,000 less than Holly and Phil.
News of Ben moving across from breakfast show Good Morning Britain is sure to put Dermot O’Leary’s nose out of joint.
The 50-year-old — who used to present the show on Fridays — stepped in as a regular host with Alison Hammond and was the bookie’s favourite to replace Phil.
The source added: “Bosses are sure to take Dermot to one side, and make sure he remains happy. He’s very much a part of the show’s future, and is hugely liked by staff and production.”
Meanwhile co-presenter Josie Gibson, 38, is set to benefit after winning new fans with her appearance on I’m a Celebrity.
The Sun recently revealed she has had talks to feature more prominently and regularly — and can expect a 50 per cent pay rise.
The source said: “Josie will get a new role on the show, and be bumped up to two days a week.”
News of the show’s looming announcements come in the wake of the scandal that plunged the popular daytime programme into crisis.
In May Phillip, 61, was forced to quit after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague, following weeks of on-air tension with one-time best mate Holly, 42.
He later gave an interview to The Sun detailing his heartbreak about losing This Morning.
Five months later Holly — his Dancing On Ice co-star — also left after a plot to kidnap her came to light.
Show chiefs had to rotate its roster of hosts, who also include Craig Doyle and Rochelle Humes, whilst seeking a new Phil and Holly.
TV insiders say the relaunch could be pushed back to late January, or even February.
A source added: “These past few weeks have seen some great viewing figures. Bosses are really happy with the current rotation of talent. The key thing is to not rush into anything, and get the formula just right.”
ITV said: “We don’t comment on speculation.”
Shephard delights for 25yrs
BEN Shephard made his presenting debut on The Bigger Breakfast in 1998 alongside Melanie Sykes and Dermot O’Leary.
That same year he helped launch Channel 4 teenage venture T4.
Two years later he joined GMTV, eventually landing a five-year full-time stint from 2005.
He made his first appearance on This Morning the same year.
He has been a stand-in presenter on the show since.
Since 2012 he has hosted ITV quiz Tipping Point.
In 2014 he joined Good Morning Britain, which he co-hosts on Thursdays and Fridays.
Deeley a TV fixture since ’97
CAT Deeley made her TV debut in 1997 on MTV’s Hitlist UK.
She became a household name the following year when she co-presented SM:TV Live with Ant and Dec.
In 2002 she co-hosted talent show Fame Academy with Patrick Kielty — now her hubby and father of her two children.
She went on to host some of TV’s biggest shows including Stars in Their Eyes and the Brit Awards.
But in 2006 she started a new life in the US hosting talent show So You Think You Can Dance.
Earlier this year she was tested for the This Morning slot, guest presenting three episodes.
Near misses
Alison Hammond was Evens with bookies.
After the year she has had, it’s no wonder that Alison Hammond was the firm favourite to front This Morning at even odds according to BonusCodeBets.
The star has already bagged the huge job of co-hosting the BAFTA Film Awards alongside A-List actor Richard E.Grant.
Josie Gibson was 2/1 with bookies.
Josie Gibson has also become a staple of the This Morning ‘family’ after she first joined the programme in 2019.
First presenting segments like the live competitions, she impressed viewers with her bubbly personality and infectious energy and soon earned the position of a relief presenter in 2021.
Ruth Langsford was 9/1 with bookies.
According to TheSportsDaily.com, Ruth Langsford could have been set to make a dramatic return to the This Morning sofa.
Ruth, 63, and her husband Eamonn Holmes were controversially axed from their regular Friday slot on the show and replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
Rochelle Humes was 10/1 with bookies.
Rochelle Humes has been a part of the roster of This Morning presenters since 2013, when she and her husband Marvin Humes joined the programme as fill-in presenters.
The former Saturdays singer was one of the first star names alongside Craig Doyle to pay tribute to Holly live on-air as she departed the magazine show.
Rylan Clark was 12/1 with bookies.
According to TheSportsDaily.com, Rylan had a strong chance of returning to This Morning in a full time capacity.
The star has become a staple of television, first appearing on the Sky modelling series, Signed by Katie Price and then getting his breakthrough for the ninth series of the X Factor.
Amanda Holden was 25/1 with bookies.
This Morning and Amanda Holden have some serious history.
The actress and TV personality was asked to fill in for Holly when she went on maternity leave in 2014, before she had to go and film auditions for Britain’s Got Talent.