Cat Deeley’s profession appears to be on an unstoppable upwards trajectory as she nears the massive 5-0.
She has been in her once-in-a-lifetime new function as This Morning’s everlasting presenter for only one week, and is now the rumoured host of this yr’s Britain’s Got Talent.
The TV persona is now extra in demand than ever – and even appears to be changing into the brand new Holly Willoughby as ITV’s go-to woman and following in her predecessor’s footsteps by standing in for Ant McPartlin.
But Cat, now seemingly ITV’s new ‘darling’, noticed her preliminary rise to fame greater than 25 years in the past – additionally on exhibits with the broadcaster.
The now 47-year-old presenter, actress and mannequin was a part of a much-loved trio with Ant and Dec on SM:TV Live on ITV and in addition hosted its spin-off pop music present CD:UK.
It looks as if Cat might lastly be turning the tide on ‘ageism’ after many older girls in her business, together with Angela Rippon, have spoken out about being forged apart after a sure age.
Cat Deeley’s profession appears to be on an unstoppable rise – claiming ITV’s greatest titles of This Morning (pictured this week alongside Ben Shephard) and now Britain’s Got Talent
The TV host was all smiles as she stepped out following her first week on This Morning
Cat has had probably the most profitable week of her profession thus far and appears to be ITV’s new go-to woman
The now 47-year-old presenter, actress and mannequin was a part of a much-loved trio with Ant and Dec on SM:TV Live on ITV (pictured on the present in 2000)
Deeley, who was born in West Bromwich in 1976, started her profession as a mannequin in her teenage years earlier than internet hosting MTV chart present Hitlist UK with Edith Bowman after which becoming a member of SM:TV from 1998.
She spent 4 years internet hosting the present alongside Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, and it featured a fan-favourite comedy phase known as Chums that parodied Friends.
It was reported final evening that Cat is being lined as much as stand-in for pal Ant McPartlin on the latest sequence of Britain’s Got Talent, ought to his spouse Anne-Marie Corbett go into labour.
The host, 48, is ready to turn out to be a father for the primary time in June, which coincides with the competitors’s stay exhibits after final yr’s closing aired June 4.
According to The Sun, ITV are placing collectively a consistency plan simply in case the Geordie be pressured to hurry off and depart sidekick Declan Donnelly’s aspect.
Cat could possibly be drafted in as a visitor host, with Stephen Mulhern’s identify additionally within the combine. A supply mentioned: ‘The timing is inflicting one thing of a headache for bosses.
‘They are contemplating whether or not Dec would current alone if Anne-Marie went into labour or, if time permits, a visitor presenter might step in. Cat and Stephen, who the lads have labored with prior to now, are front-runners.’
Cat appears to be ITV’s new ‘darling’ at 47 – and is following within the steps of her predecessor Holly Willoughby
It looks as if Cat might lastly be turning the tide on ‘ageism’ – after many ladies of their 40s and 50s mentioned they felt like their careers had been plummeting as they bought older
Now in response to stories ITV are placing collectively a consistency plan ought to Ant (L) be pressured to hurry off and depart sidekick Declan Donnelly’s (R) aspect (pictured collectively on the present in 2023)
The host is ready to turn out to be a father for the primary time in June, which coincides with the competitors’s stay exhibits (Ant and Anne-Marie pictured in February)
MailOnline has beforehand reached out to ITV for remark.
It appears that the roles are coming in thick and quick for Cat, who has been internet hosting This Morning completely for only one week alongside Ben Shephard.
And in some ways she looks as if the plain alternative for a short lived BGT host, having labored with ITV and Ant and Dec for a lot of years.
Cat’s This Morning predecessor Holly Willoughby additionally has a stint alongside Declan Donnelly on her CV after she stepped in to host I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2018 when Ant McPartlin was taking break day.
Angela Rippon has beforehand revealed she was informed she’d ‘had her day’ in TV by a boss after turning 50
As she turns into one of many UK’s most in-demand presenters, Cat seems to be going in opposition to the grain, after a number of girls within the TV business have spoken out about how they had been thought of ‘previous it’ after reaching a sure age.
One such identify is Angela Rippon, who opened up final yr about how TV bosses approached her about her age as soon as she reached 50.
The 79-year-old recalled being informed: ‘Angela, you must recognise now that you just’re 50, you’ve had your day and it’s time to make manner for the younger girls arising behind you.’
Scottish TV presenter Carol Smillie, 60, finest identified for hit makeover present Changing Rooms, beforehand spoke out in regards to the ageism girls face on TV.
Speaking on the How To Be 60 With Kaye Adams podcast final yr, she revealed she finds it ‘terrifying’ that some presenters have gone via beauty surgical procedure to attempt to look younger.
When requested if she stop TV on the age of fifty due to ageist attitudes, she mentioned: ‘Yes, positively. After 50 it is very apparent that the alternatives that come up are far much less fascinating, thrilling, well-paid, all of these items.
‘Everyone has their day. You cannot at all times be on the prime. That’s superb, however should you select to cling on and get offended about it it is not very wholesome. I simply assume it is another person’s flip – time to maneuver to one thing utterly totally different. Something that is not going to matter your age a lot, or your weight.
Carol Smillie beforehand spoke out about ageism in opposition to girls in TV – however might Cat lastly be turning the tide?
Patrick Kielty and Cat Deeley attend the ‘Ballywalter’ movie premiere in London on September 18
Deeley reunited with Ant and Dec in December 2020 for an SM:TV reunion particular on ITV
Holly too made a behavior out of stepping in for Ant, similar to internet hosting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in his absence in 2018 with Dec Donnelly
Cat Deeley moved to the US in 2006 to host So You Think You Can Dance
Ant and Dec with Cat Deeley in 2001 on the peak of their success on SM:TV Live on ITV
Ant McPartlin, Cat Deeley and Declan Donnelly in a publicity photograph for SM:TV Live in 1998
‘It’s unhealthy, should you select to wade into that perspective and indignant about it. You’re higher to take your self out of it and do one thing utterly totally different.
‘I watch different individuals get offended or upset about jobs not coming their manner and also you assume ‘What’s the purpose?’ Just transfer on. Take management of it your self.
‘The pleasure of working once I need to work, not when some govt up on the fifth ground decides if my face matches or not, is simply nice.’
Deeley additionally reunited with Ant and Dec in December 2020 for an SM:TV reunion particular on ITV throughout which they regarded again on the story of the present.
After rising to fame on SM:TV, Deeley had varied different TV credit similar to Fame Academy, which she offered in 2002 with Patrick Kielty – whom she later married in 2012.
She additionally offered Stars In Their Eyes between 2003 and 2006 and hosted the Brit Awards in 2004 when she famously arrived at Earl’s Court in London on prime of a champagne bottle carrying suspenders and fishnets.
In 2006 she moved stateside to pursue a presenting profession within the US, and began internet hosting leisure present So You Think You Can Dance? in its second sequence, presenting each episode since.
Other well-known credit together with showing as herself in Peter Kay’s Britain’s Got the Pop Factor, Life’s Too Short and House of Lies.
While former host Willoughby was famed for her eternally revolving wardrobe of thigh-skimming attire, Deeley has gone proper again to fundamentals
Not everybody has been impressed by Cat and Ben’s new internet hosting gigs, with some viewers saying they don’t seem to be sufficient to avoid wasting the ‘dated’ This Morning formulation
She was married to businessman Mark Whelan between 2001 and 2006, however then married fellow TV presenter Kielty in 2012 in Rome.
Cat had massive boots to fill after Holly stepped down from her This Morning function in October after 14 years.
But her first week has been positively obtained – and Cat has even given the function her personal twist by choosing extra informal outfits than Holly would often put on.
On Tuesday the presenter turned again the dial by carrying skinny denims on the studio ground, an almost unfathomable vogue fake pas throughout Willoughby’s tenure.
Viewers appeared to offer the down-to-earth look a optimistic thumbs up throughout social media, with one commenting: ‘I’m actually having fun with this new duo and love Cat’s outfit, positively a combo we will all relate to.’
It’s nonetheless early days however Deeley has wasted no time in getting hands-on whereas presenting the day by day present alongside co-host Shephard.
On Tuesday she was on her fingers and knees whereas fussing over resident This Morning canine Buddy on the studio ground.
And she admitted to being tearful after assembly the canine – an autism help puppy for the primary time.
She mentioned: ‘Yes I’ve already cried. He’s having to carry me again proper now so I can learn strains and do an interview.’
ITV have been hoping the duo will present stability for viewers after months of uncertainty and a revolving door of presenters within the wake of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield exits
Deeley was additionally very a lot concerned whereas present chef John Torode talked viewers via his ultimate Thai inexperienced curry – a distinction to Willoughby’s comparatively reserved method.
ITV have been hoping the duo will present stability for viewers after months of uncertainty and a revolving door of presenters within the wake of Holly and Phil’s scandalous departures.
Yet not everybody was impressed by the scenes on Monday, with underwhelmed viewers complaining the brand new hosts weren’t sufficient to avoid wasting the ‘dated’ present.
While many reacted favourably to Cat and Ben themselves, they had been unimpressed that the present had remained largely unchanged.
Taking to X, previously Twitter, one upset viewer summed up: ‘Big new period for #ThisMorning begins right this moment… AAAAAND…they’ve not modified something on the set, the gadgets are all the identical and it looks like Ben & Cat are simply the latest on the conveyer belt of presenters relatively than it feeling like a contemporary begin, which it arguably ought to.’
Others agreed: ‘#ThisMorning ..similar old set, theme tune, graphics and segments. Even similar opening titles – couldn’t even be bothered so as to add Ben and Cat in just like the old earlier hosts. This was ITVs probability to rejuvenate this system and transfer on from the previous – and so they missed it.’