ITV has hit again at claims they’re hoping for a U-turn in rankings following information that This Morning viewership has plummeted since new hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard took to the helm.
The present had a recent shake-up earlier this yr when Cat, 47, and Ben, 49, were finally unveiled as the new permanent presenters, starting their stint almost a year after the ITV show was thrown into chaos with the exit of Phillip Schofield.
It was a optimistic begin on their first day (11 March) because the present drew in over a million viewers, however recent reviews have claimed that this determine has dropped to 692,500. That determine is decrease than Phillip’s final day in 2023, which noticed 767,00 individuals tune in, and the fewest since Holly Willoughby’s final day in October.
A supply instructed The Sun: “After the preliminary flurry of curiosity on their first day within the job, the viewing figures almost instantly dipped again into six figures. ITV bosses will probably be hoping they will flip issues round earlier than the subsequent huge milestone date as they’ve a lot using on Ben and Cat being successful.”
But rubbishing these claims, a spokesperson for This Morning instructed OK!: “Ben and Cat have recorded the very best viewers attain of the yr to this point on This Morning with 4.5 million viewers throughout one week. Viewing figures for January – March 2024 are additionally up 5% in comparison with 2023.”
Phillip stepped down from the position in May final yr, and shortly after admitted to having an ‘unwise however not unlawful’ affair with a younger male runner whereas engaged on the present. His long-time co-host Holly stayed on, and was joined by quite a few visitor presenters filling in for Phillip. But in October, Holly determined to step away too, sharing that the choice was ‘for her household’.
While it is nonetheless early days, Cat has “grown in confidence” within the weeks following her This Morning debut, however is “relying” on co-host Ben, according to body language expert Darren Stanton. Speaking on behalf of , Darren detailed how Ben is the one main the best way relating to co-host duties.
“While I do suppose Cat has grown in confidence, she nonetheless depends on Ben to an extent. They’re not but on par with one another. At the second, Ben could be very a lot the lead anchor of the present and provides Cat confidence, which is evident,” he stated.
The duo are at present having fun with an Easter break from the present, with Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond stepping in whereas they’re away.
