Future of Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on This Morning revealed as Martin Frizell quits after 10 years
CAT Deeley and Ben Shephard’s futures on ITV’s This Morning have been revealed following show boss Martin Frizell’s decision to quit.
The presenting duo, who have only been at the helm of the daytime show for eight months, will keep their roles amid the behind the scenes shake-up.
However, The Sun revealed exclusively how new faces are likely to join the show in some capacity as the new boss plans a huge shake-up.
And we also revealed that the favourites to return in regular slots are Amanda Holden, Rylan Clark and Ruth Langsford.
ITV chief Kevin Lygo is said to be particularly fond of Cat’s on-screen abilities.
A source told the Mail: “‘Kevin was very much behind hiring Cat, along with Martin, they pulled out the stops to get her and there were lots of obstacles.
“She is loved at ITV and they don’t want her to go anywhere. As for Ben, he is loved by ITV’s viewers. Martin has known that he would be going for some time now, even when he hired Cat and Ben.”
Cat turned down a lucrative contract hosting So You Think You Can Dance in the States to present the British lifestyle show.
She is reportedly making £550,000 a year, in contrast to predecessors Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s £700,000 salaries.
While Cat and Ben’s roles are safe, a number of new faces will be brought in to freshen up the show.
A source told us last night: “The hope is that a few tweaks here and there can make a huge difference – with presenters added to the roster, and a few exciting new features.
“Martin was mercurial and merciless when he was angry, and a few people were pretty scared of him.
“Martin was old school, but he was also hugely talented, hands-on, hard-working, and dedicated to the running of that ship.
“His strengths, however, were that he was a total maverick and absolutely fearless.”
News of Frizell’s departure comes just two months after former presenter Phillip Schofield described the mercurial journalist as a “s***” – dragging up two years of turbulent This Morning toxicity.
Although ITV will externally advertise the £155,000 a year role, current Associate Editor Vivek Sharma is heavily tipped to land the coveted gig.
Fiery editor, Frizell announced his departure yesterday in an internal email to all staff – minutes before the official announcement from broadcast bosses.
He will use his time away from London’s White City to spend more time – and care for – his wife, former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips who, heartbreakingly, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2022.