Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard are reportedly to be announced as the new permanent presenters of ITV's This Morning, replacing Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
The duo, who have both guest hosted the show but never together, are believed to have impressed ITV bosses with their “chemistry” – possibly due to an unaired screen test.
According to The Sun, 49-year-old Ben's “clean image” was also a factor in him getting the job, as the show continues to distance itself from Phillip's scandalous affair with a younger male colleague.
Meanwhile, Cat, 47, is proving very popular with viewers after being drafted in when Holly left for her foiled kidnap and murder because she was “for the sake of her family”.
A source told the publication: “Cat was really impressed when she came in and Ben is a consummate professional and extremely popular with the housewives group.”
Cat Deeley, 47, and Ben Shephard, 49, are reportedly to be announced as the new permanent presenters of ITV's This Morning – replacing Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby
The duo, who have both guest hosted the show but never together, are said to have impressed ITV bosses (former presenters Phillip and Holly appeared on the show in 2018).
'[Ben is] an extremely safe pair of hands, has real seriousness and has no whiff of scandal about him – he is purer than pure.”
Before adding: “Many people were considered, but ultimately it's a question of chemistry.”
Cat and Ben are both understood to be in final negotiations with the broadcaster and can expect salaries of £550,000 a year, £150,000 less than their processors' salaries.
Cat representatives declined to comment. Web has also contacted Ben's representatives and ITV.
This comes after Friday presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary stepped in as regular presenters alongside a host of rotating stars including Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle, Emma Willis, Rylan, Rochelle Humes, Andi Peters and Mollie King.
The Sun reports that Dermot will be “taken aside” by his bosses after missing out on the top job to ensure he “stays happy” and continues to be part of the future of the new look show.
Last week Emma Willis was bookmakers' favorite to take over as permanent presenter of This Morning after she impressed viewers with her accomplished performance.
Ben's “clean image” was also a factor in him getting the job, as the show continues to distance itself from Phillip's scandalous affair with a younger male colleague (Ben hosted with Holly in September).
Meanwhile, Cat has proven popular with viewers after being called up when Holly quit “for the sake of her family” while a plot to murder and kidnap her was foiled (Cat appeared with Rylan as host in November ).
Cat and Ben are both understood to be in final negotiations with the broadcaster and can expect salaries of £550,000 a year, £150,000 less than their processors' salaries
The veteran presenter opened the week with Rylan, another popular star, five years after they worked together on the recently revived reality show Big Brother.
Emma, 47, previously hosted Big Brother during its previous incarnation on Channel 5, while Rylan, 35, hosted sister show Bit On The Side, and the pair also co-hosted This Morning in the past.
The star replaced Cat, who co-hosted the show with Rylan earlier this month, in a carousel of part-time presenters since Willoughby's sudden departure in October.
And her undeniable popularity has been duly noted by the bookies: Ladbrokes gives her an 11/10 chance of landing the coveted role as full-time presenter.
Ladbrokes' Nicola McGeady said: “Emma Willis made a huge impact on This Morning today and after sparking an immediate flood of betting, she is the new favorite to replace Holly Willoughby.”
Former Friday presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have stepped in as regular presenters alongside a host of rotating stars
Last week Emma Willis was bookmakers' favorite to take over as permanent presenter of This Morning after she impressed viewers with her accomplished performance
Show regular Alison Hammond is at odds of 2/1, Josie Gibson is at odds of 5/2/1, Rochelle Humes, 6/1, Kate Garraway, 10/1 and Storm Huntley, 14/1, during Abbey Clancy and Angela Scanlon are tied at 16/1.
They have already called for Rylan and Emma to be made permanent presenters following Holly Willoughby's dramatic exit.
One wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Much better this morning with Emma and Rylan presenting together!”
Another said: “Rylan and Emma are the perfect hosts of #ThisMorning”
While a third added: “Can we have Rylan and Emma Willis on permanently please?”
This comes after Rylan was tipped by bookmakers as the favorite to replace Phillip Schofield and get a permanent spot on the show.
William Hill revealed that Rylan Clark has a 5/4 chance of succeeding Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, who left the show amid shocking kidnap and death threats.