Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley recently discussed their on-screen dynamic on This Morning. The duo took over as hosts of the ITV daytime show in March 2024 after Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s departure.

Now regular fixtures on the show, they present from Monday to Thursday during term time, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary hosting on Fridays and school holidays.

Despite the assumption that they had time to build rapport before their debut, Cat and Ben actually met just a day before their first show together. Cat, 49, mentioned flying in from Atlanta, and Ben, 51, highlighted that they got to know each other while on air.

When they finally met, Cat had to leave early due to parenting commitments with her two sons, Milo and James. She mentioned that there was no chemistry test, a fact that puzzled her American management.

During their initial months, viewers had mixed reactions to the new hosts. While some felt there was a lack of chemistry, others welcomed the change.

In a recent interview, Ben emphasized the importance of authenticity on TV, stating that viewers can quickly detect any faked chemistry. Cat echoed this sentiment, highlighting the intimacy of television viewing.

Describing their partnership as a “TV marriage,” Ben jokingly mentioned his “other TV wife” – the coin pusher on Tipping Point, another show he hosts on ITV.

Earlier this year, speculation arose about a potential shake-up in This Morning’s presenting team, with rumors suggesting the addition of Vernon Kay and Tess Daly. However, ITV denied these claims, affirming their satisfaction with Cat, Ben, Alison, and Dermot as the lead presenters.

A spokesperson for Vernon dismissed the rumors, emphasizing his commitment to his BBC Radio 2 show. This Morning continues to attract a strong viewership, with a weekly reach of 3.7 million viewers in 2026.

The show airs weekdays at 10 am on ITV and ITVX.