This Morning's Cat Deeley 'ruled out' of full time job after ITV viewer petition
Cat Deeley is reported to be out of the running for a full time job as a presenter on ITV's This Morning
by Simon Duke · ChronicleLiveCat Deeley has been 'ruled out' of a full time job as a This Morning presenter, with her instead signing a huge deal for American TV, after many viewers claimed they were ready to sin a petition to get her as Holly Willoughby's successor.
Cat made a fine impression on diehard fans of the ITV daytime show, when she appeared as a guest host for three days, teaming up with Rylan Clark and Craig Doyle, as viewers pushed for her to be given a permanent contract, That looked like being very much on the cards at the end of last week, when sources claimed that producers had 'chosen' her and Good Morning Britain star Ben Shephard as its new main hosts.
A source told The Sun: “This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right. Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic."
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They added that a 'lot of people were considered' but it was all about the 'chemistry, adding: "Everyone is very excited, and the sense is that Ben and Cat will be a real boost to morale on the ground.”
However now it is being claimed that ex SMTV presenter Cat has 'turned down' the chance to be full time on This Morning, with her recently confirming that she will be returned to the States to front the new series of So You Think You Can Dance. which is coming back after being shelved due to Covid. Speaking to MailOnline, a source claimed ITV bosses were 'pulling their hair out' over the stress of trying to 'secure' their main presenters ahead of the New Year.
They commented: "The relaunch date was supposed to be in January but that is no way going to happen now," they said. "Cat was the answer. She would have been an absolute triumph but they just couldn't make it work.
Cat is one of a number of female stars who have been given the chance to be main This Morning host, after Holly's sudden exit in October. Others to appear include Emma Willis, Sarah Ferguson, Lisa Snowdon and Mollie King.
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