Yahoo News This Morning finally confirms new main presenters
This Morning has announced Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley as its new main presenters.
Following a year which saw both Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby leave their roles on the ITV morning show, a number of guest presenters have been hosting the show in the meantime.
A social media promo confirmed Shephard and Deeley's full-time appointments today (February 16). They will be the regular presenters of the Monday-Thursday shows from March, while Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will continue to host on Fridays.
Related: Good Morning Britain's Ben Shephard explains ruling out Strictly stint
"This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning," said Ben. "It's an honour to be trusted with the reins, join Alison and Dermot and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job."
"For the last ten years I've been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat, welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved," he 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!" said Cat.
"This Morning is and always will be the viewers' show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of an amazing team of people, we're going to do our best to take care of it."
Both Ben and Cat had long been linked with permanent roles as part of This Morning's presenting team, with speculation that Ben would be moving from Good Morning Britain intensifying after his colleague Susanna Reid appeared to drop a hint that he was in the running for the role.
He was said to have impressed This Morning bosses on a guest-hosting stint alongside Willoughby, prior to her own decision to leave the programme.
Meanwhile, Cat was rumoured to be in the running for a permanent hosting role after she was invited to be a guest presenter on This Morning in November.
This Morning editor Martin Frizell said in a statement: "We can't wait to welcome Ben and Cat fully into the fold next month and witness the start of another exciting chapter in the show's 35-year journey."
"We are thrilled to have Ben and Cat as our new This Morning hosts and cannot wait to see them on that famous sofa together soon," added Emma Gormley, who's managing director of ITV Studios Daytime.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 & ITVX.
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