Cat Deeley’s profession appears to be on an unstoppable upwards trajectory as she nears the large 5-0.
She has been in her once-in-a-lifetime new position 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 character is now extra in demand than ever – and even appears to be turning 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 reveals 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 like 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 solid apart after a sure age.
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 section known as Chums that parodied Friends.
It was reported final night time that Cat is being lined as much as stand-in for pal Ant McPartlin on the latest collection of Britain’s Got Talent, ought to his spouse Anne-Marie Corbett go into labour.
The host, 48, is about to turn out to be a father for the primary time in June, which coincides with the competitors’s dwell reveals after final yr’s last 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 might be drafted in as a visitor host, with Stephen Mulhern’s title additionally within the combine. A supply stated: ‘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 up to now, are front-runners.’
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 like the apparent alternative for a brief 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 day without work.
As she turns into one of many UK’s most in-demand presenters, Cat seems to be going towards the grain, after a number of girls within the TV business have spoken out about how they had been thought-about ‘previous it’ after reaching a sure age.
One such title 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 advised: ‘Angela, you must recognise now that you simply’re 50, you’ve had your day and it’s time to make manner for the younger girls developing behind you.’
Scottish TV presenter Carol Smillie, 60, greatest 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 stated: ‘Yes, undoubtedly. 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 all the time be on the prime. That’s tremendous, however in the event you select to cling on and get offended about it it is not very wholesome. I simply suppose it is another person’s flip – time to maneuver to one thing fully completely different. Something that is not going to matter your age a lot, or your weight.
‘It’s unhealthy, in the event 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 fully completely different.
‘I watch different folks get offended or upset about jobs not coming their manner and also you suppose ‘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 government up on the fifth ground decides if my face suits 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 appeared again on the story of the present.
After rising to fame on SM:TV, Deeley had numerous different TV credit akin 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 sporting 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 collection, 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.
She was married to businessman Mark Whelan between 2001 and 2006, however then married fellow TV presenter Kielty in 2012 in Rome.
Cat had huge boots to fill after Holly stepped down from her This Morning position in October after 14 years.
But her first week has been positively acquired – and Cat has even given the position her personal twist by choosing extra informal outfits than Holly would normally put on.
On Tuesday the presenter turned again the dial by sporting skinny denims on the studio ground, an almost unfathomable trend fake pas throughout Willoughby’s tenure.
Viewers appeared to present 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, undoubtedly 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 every day present alongside co-host Shephard.
On Tuesday she was on her palms 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 stated: ‘Yes I’ve already cried. He’s having to carry me again proper now so I can learn traces and do an interview.’
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 disenchanted viewer summed up: ‘Big new period for #ThisMorning begins in the present day… AAAAAND…they’ve not modified something on the set, the gadgets are all the identical and it seems like Ben & Cat are simply the latest on the conveyer belt of presenters reasonably 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 likelihood to rejuvenate this system and transfer on from the previous – they usually missed it.’
