Cat Deeley is reportedly being eyed up by BBC bosses weeks after debuting on ‘This Morning’.
Cat Deeley is reportedly being eyed up by BBC bosses weeks after debuting on This Morning
The 47-year-old presenter took the reigns of the ITV programme with Ben Shepard, 49, last month (11.03.24) and it is now rumoured the rival network is hoping to sign her on for a new role.
An industry insider told the Mail on Sunday: “She is used to hosting a glitzy show in America and put with the right programme over here, she could be an absolute ratings winner ... There is no love lost between the BBC and ITV for the stealing of stars, so what a great move it would be.”
Cat and Ben took over the daytime show from Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson, with the latter reportedly feeling “gutted and hurt” over ITV’s decision to move forward with the new presenters.
A source told OK! Magazine: “The person who is really gutted that she wasn't given the role is Josie Gibson - her nose is out of joint. She was touted as the new Holly but wasn't the case. She's hurt over the decision.”
However, her co-host Alison - who was said to have been offered a permanent role for the programme - was not interested in continuing her presenting duties due to her other TV commitments.
When The Sunday Times Magazine asked if she would consider returning to the show full-time, she said: “Absolutely not. How could I? I live in Birmingham and do ‘Bake Off’ and ‘For the Love of Dogs’.
“I never wanted that job. Last year we did extra because we were going through issues, but Cat and Ben will save that show.”
ITV bosses are also reportedly pushing for Cat and Ben to be more relatable in an effort for audiences to “warm to them”.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, a TV insider said: “Cat and Ben are both seasoned professionals, but the bosses view relatability as the key to making them really popular.
“They want the audience to warm to them the same way as they warmed to Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson.”
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