This Morning bosses secure fan favourites on ITV show after battle with rival channels
ITV This Morning bosses have secured their presenting duo for the summer and they are firm fan favourites
ITV This Morning bosses are reportedly delighted to have secured the presenting duo for the show during the summer months.
After a battle with rival channels to secure their services, it is believed that Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary will be back to lead the summer schedule for the daytime show. The pair are firm favourites with This Morning viewers but there had been a worry that they would not be available after securing shows with rival channels.
Bosses had been prepared to turn to Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle to continue their TV partnership on the show with support from the likes of Joel Dommett but they are delighted that Alison and Dermot will be back together as the principle pairing.
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Many had hoped that Alison and Dermot would have been given the presenting job permanently after Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield quit the show but bosses handed the gig to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard permanently from March. Unfortunately, since then the viewing figures have halved at points from last year and there is hope that Alison and Dermot might return those who have switched off in recent months.
A source told The Sun : “Viewers love Alison and Dermot so locking them in for the summer was a priority. Josie and Craig are great but execs couldn’t risk losing their best names when a spotlight’s on the show. It’s hoped a decent summer run from Ali and Dermot could get things off to a head-start when Cat and Ben return in September.”
Alison is set to film two BBC shows over the summer, Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend and Florida Unpacked, which is a travel show with her son Aiden, 19, while Dermot will be hosting a new gameshow for UKTV’s Dave. This Morning bosses have had to act quickly to ensure their number one pairing don't set sail on rival projects, leaving the show high and dry.
The source added: “Things looked a bit wobbly when Ali booked the travel show. It’s due to film in Florida before September. Thankfully, the schedules have worked out.” A spokesman for This Morning told the publication: “Our summer presenting line-up will be announced in due course.”
This Morning bosses also issued a statement about the reducing viewing figures, saying that the show still reaches millions despite reports of a huge decrease in recent months. A spokesperson said: "This Morning continues to reach over 4 million viewers a week and remains one of the most streamed programmes on ITVX in 2024.
"The award-winning show has never had a better connection with viewers; with 11 million followers across This Morning social media platforms and almost 130 million video views of This Morning content each month, reaching an average of 62 million unique social media accounts every month."
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