ITV’s This Morning to wrap early and Loose Women is cancelled in schedule shake-up
ITV’s This Morning ends early on Wednesday with Loose Women canceled due to the TV schedule shake-up.
During the programme, presenters Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson explained that This Morning would end at 12.15am instead of 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, Loose Women has been taken off air completely to make room for ITV news for Budget Day.
This morning’s Craig explained: ‘The show is a little shorter today because it’s Budget Day.
“At the end of today we will all be so much richer,” he joked.
ITV’s This Morning ends early on Wednesday
Loose Women is canceled amid TV show shake-up (Kaye Adams pictured last week)
Josie replied, “I hope so!”
ITV airs from 12.15pm to 2pm and Jeremy Hunt will save 2p on personal taxes.
It comes as Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have been unveiled as the new presenters of This Morning.
The pair, aged 47 and 49 respectively, have been in talks for several months following the departure of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield and are now set to make their debut next month.
Her role on the show will see the star reportedly lose her old role on So You Think You Can Dance in the US where she was reportedly paid £43,000 per episode – instead opting for the role on This Morning with a reported £ 550,000. annual salary.
It was claimed that Cat had finally been won over with a more lucrative deal, but insiders at ITV denied these claims, insisting that it was the opportunity to spend more time with family, on a big-money payday, that ultimately sealed the deal.
The news was confirmed via a bespoke promo on This Morning’s Twitter, which saw Ben walking down the famous This Morning production corridor and posting a new photo of Cat on the wall, before turning to the camera as the photo came to life.
Ben said: “This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning. It is an honor to be entrusted with the leadership. Join Alison and Dermot and the whole team who work both on and off screen doing such amazing work…’
During the programme, presenters Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson explained that This Morning would end at 12.15am instead of 12.30pm.
He continued: ‘Over the last ten years I’ve been waking up to our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I’m now looking forward to spending time with Cat…
‘Welcoming viewers home after the school run or their early morning routine, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.’
Cat added: “This Morning is a national institution. Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, sincere, informative and cheerful – like all best friendships!…
‘This morning is and remains the viewer’s show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of a great team of people, we’re going to do our best to make it happen.”
Presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary discussed the news last week and showed a throwback photo of Dermot, Andi Peters and Ben. Dermot joked: ‘Am on T4, that’s actually from last week!’, while Alison replied: ‘Look at Andi Peters!’
Speaking further about Cat, Dermot said: “I’ve known Cat for so long,” while Alison revealed that she first met Cat at a party in Los Angeles about four years ago and they bonded because they were both from Birmingham.
She told Dermot: ‘I met her in LA. We are both Brummies. I met her about four years ago, we met in LA at a party. We are so happy that they are joining the Ben and Cat family. This is going to be so much fun.”
Dermot said: ‘The secret is out!’, while Alison revealed: ‘They’ll be joining us in March’.
This Morning’s editor Martin Frizell said: ‘The team and I have enjoyed the opportunity to try new things over the past few months and remind viewers what an immensely talented team, both on and off screen, we are. here at This Morning we have…’
It comes as Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard have been unveiled as the new presenters of This Morning
This Morning’s new regular presenter Cat is said to be in conflict with ITV bosses over her new post and her old role on So You Think You Can Dance (pictured on the show in November)
“We can’t wait to fully welcome Ben and Cat to the group next month and witness the start of a new exciting chapter in the show’s 35-year journey.”
Managing Director, ITV Studios Daytime, Emma Gormley added: ‘I’m immensely proud of everyone who works on This Morning – for a program that has evolved many times over the last 35 years, it remains as relevant and exciting as ever…
‘We’re thrilled to have Ben and Cat as our new This Morning hosts and can’t wait to see them together on that famous sofa soon.’
Sources at the network say they are “excited” about the pair’s signing after “so many obstacles had to be overcome to get there,” according to a source. Their appointment will be discussed on Friday’s episode of This Morning.