The Crisis Unfolding at This Morning – New Hosts Fail to Impress Viewers
The ITV daytime show This Morning is facing a crisis as the new hosts, Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, struggle to connect with viewers. Following the departure of long-time hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, the show welcomed Cat and Ben in March. However, fans have been less than impressed with the new duo, taking to social media to express their disappointment.
Viewers Voice Concerns Over Cat and Ben’s Performance
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard made their debut on This Morning on March 11, drawing in one million viewers at its peak. Despite the promising start, viewership numbers have since dropped significantly, with peak figures falling to 589,000 in May. Comparatively, rival show Morning Live on the BBC has been attracting between one million and 1.4 million viewers. Fans have expressed their preference for former hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary to take over as the main presenters.
ITV Responds to Criticism and Ratings Dip
ITV bosses have refuted claims that they were relying on Cat and Ben to revive This Morning’s viewership. A spokesperson for the show stated that Cat and Ben had recorded the best audience reach of the year so far, with 4.5 million viewers across one week. Despite the backlash from some viewers, others have shown support for the new hosts, emphasizing the need for stability and familiarity on the popular daytime show.