This Morning presenter Ben Shephard has confirmed he will be taking a short break from the popular ITV program, joining co-host Cat Deeley in stepping away from their hosting duties over the half-term period. The announcement was made on Shephard’s Instagram account, where he shared snapshots from Thursday’s (February 13) edition of the show.
Reflecting on the end of the week, Ben penned: “Ahhh lovely end of the week for me and @catdeeley Thanks for all your messages. I hope everyone is ready for some hardcore valentines/palentines/galentines (delete where appropriate) action!! “We’ll be back in the studio after half term!! Thanks @kenmckayphoto for these ace pics too.”
The duo, who were unveiled as the permanent hosts in February 2024, have been at the helm of the show from Monday to Thursday since stepping into the roles following the unexpected departures of longtime presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, reported by the Express. Phillip Schofield, who left the program after more than two decades in May 2023, and Holly Willoughby, who stepped down in October 2023 after 14 years, paved the way for the new presenting team.
During their debut episode, Ben and Cat took a moment to thank viewers for their supportive messages. Ben mentioned that they were “thrilled” to be taking over the show, while Cat expressed the deep personal connection she shares with the program. Cat said that the show had been a “huge part” of her and Ben’s lives for “so long,” adding: “So to be actually standing here with you.” Their heartfelt remarks resonated with loyal fans, many of whom have followed the evolution of This Morning over the years.
As the break approaches, it remains unclear who will fill the half-term hosting slot. In a previous short break in October, veteran presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary stepped in to cover the program on Fridays. Alison, a fixture on This Morning since 2002 after beginning her career as a showbiz reporter, and Dermot, widely recognized for his long-running role on X Factor, have become fan favorites. The pair have been co-hosting the Friday slot together since November 2020 following the exit of Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langford.
With the promise of returning to the studio after the half-term, both Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley look forward to rejoining their colleagues and the millions of viewers who tune in each day to enjoy the warmth and wit that The Morning team is known for.
