February 17th 2024.
Cat Deeley, the popular TV star, has reportedly made a big decision recently. It has been reported that she turned down a very lucrative job offer to become the new presenter of This Morning. The gig would have paid her a whopping £43,000 per episode, but Cat chose to go for the ITV gig instead.
It has now been officially confirmed that Cat, along with former Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard, will be the new hosts of the daytime programme. They will be taking over from the beloved duo Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, who both left the show within a few months of each other.
Cat had previously hosted a few special episodes of This Morning alongside Rylan Clark, but it was believed that she had turned down the offer and referred to her stint as a "one-off." It was rumored that she chose to host So You Think You Can Dance in America instead, leaving ITV bosses feeling disappointed.
However, it has now been revealed that Cat made a sacrifice by turning down the £43,000 per-episode pay cheque. According to The Sun, she will be earning an annual salary of £550,000 on This Morning, which is reportedly £150,000 less than what Holly and Schofield were making.
In an interview, Cat expressed her excitement about her new role, saying, "I can't wait to be a part of the team, from the crew and producers, to the brilliant presenters. I've been hosting solo for the past few years and I've really missed that sense of camaraderie, it will be great to be a part of such an incredible team." She also added, "This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it's on, it's like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative, and joyful – like all the greatest friendships!"
Cat's presenting career began on SMTV Live with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, and she also hosted the spin-off music programme CD:UK with Holly. She then moved on to host So You Think You Can Dance in America, after appearing on shows like Fame Academy and Stars in Their Eyes.
Since Holly and Schofield's departure, a variety of presenters like Josie Gibson, Dermot O'Leary, and Alison Hammond have been filling in on This Morning. Holly left the show in October after 14 years to return to ITV as a presenter on Dancing On Ice, while Schofield resigned from ITV in May after admitting to an "unwise but not illegal affair."
The Agency has reached out to Cat's representatives for comment. This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV1. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with The Agency entertainment team by emailing us, calling 020 3615 2145, or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
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