Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly issued a stern warning to Ben Shephard about working with Cat Deeley as the duo made their This Morning debut on Monday.
The Saturday Night Takeaway presenters appeared on screen to wish their former SMTV co-host, 47, good luck on her first day – but couldn’t resist making a cheeky dig.
Ant said: ‘Cat, Ben, good luck’ while Dec continued: ‘Have the best time. You’re going to be amazing, we can’t wait to watch.’
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly issued a stern warning to Ben Shephard about working with Cat Deeley as the duo made their This Morning debut on Monday
The Saturday Night Takeaway presenters appeared on screen to wish their former SMTV co-host, 47, good luck on her first day – but couldn’t resist making a cheeky dig
Back in the studio, Cat admitted with a smile on her face: ‘Look, my motto in life is work hard, play hard.’
Cat went on to reveal: ‘Well actually Ben, I’ve actually had a little word of warning about you too – from one of your besties, have a look!’ Before the clip played, Ben joked: ‘That’s even more worrying if it’s from one of my friends’.
Viewers then heard Chris Kamara, affectionately known as Kammy to many, say: ‘Let me tell you Cat, he is like a bear with a sore head when West Ham get beat and the rest of the time, he is just miserable!
‘Only kidding, let me tell you Cat – he was one of the best things to happen to me and I’m sure you will see that and vice versa of course. Good luck to you both, I think you’re going to smash it.’
Ben commented: ‘Aww Kammy! He never fails to move me, that man. We woke up together a lot on Sundays on Sky… That’s something you have to learn! But thank you Kammy for that message.’
Cat and Good Morning Britain host Ben finally made their debut as This Morning permanent new hosts, after replacing Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
The pair were unveiled as the new additions to the show last month following weeks of speculation, and Holly’s departure from the show back in October.
Ahead of their first show, Ben’s former GMB colleague Susanna Reid shared a selfie alongside the pair after they crossed paths backstage.
Tweeting the snap, she penned the caption: ‘Fantastic to see @benshephard & @catdeeley behind the scenes this morning before their This Morning debut. Good luck dream team.’
Noting their wild partying during their children’s TV heyday, Ant said: ‘A little bit of advice for Ben about Cat that girl can party!’
During Ant and Dec’s stint as hosts on SMTV:Live, Chums saw the trio joined by an array of celebrity guests, from Tom Jones to Carol Vorderman to Mariah Carey (pictured in 2001)
ITV have been hoping the duo will provide stability for viewers after months of uncertainty and a revolving door of presenters in the wake of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield scandalous departures.
Yet not everyone was impressed by the scenes on Monday, with underwhelmed viewers complaining the new hosts weren’t enough to save the ‘dated’ show.
While many reacted favourably to Cat and Ben themselves, they were unimpressed that the show had remained largely unchanged.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one disappointed viewer summed up: ‘Big new era for #ThisMorning starts today… AAAAAND…they’ve not changed anything on the set, the items are all the same and it feels like Ben & Cat are just the latest on the conveyer belt of presenters rather than it feeling like a fresh start, which it arguably should.’
Others agreed: ‘#ThisMorning ..same old set, theme tune, graphics and segments. Even same opening titles – couldn’t even be bothered to add Ben and Cat in like the old previous hosts. This was ITVs chance to rejuvenate the program and move on from the past – and they missed it.’
While many reacted favourably to Cat and Ben themselves, they were unimpressed that the show had remained largely unchanged
Ben also received a sweet message from his longtime pal Chris Kamara, who said: ‘He was one of the best things to happen to me and vice versa I’m sure you’re going to smash it’
It came five months after Phillip’s departure after his affair with a young male showrunner was made public, followed by Holly’s exit from the show in October
Ahead of their first show, Ben’s former GMB colleague Susanna Reid shared a selfie alongside the pair after they crossed paths backstage
‘9.58am: Pop on ITV1 to watch new #ThisMorning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley’s start to the show. 10.03am: Now I’ve watched it I’ve turned it off and back on with watching Young Royals on Netflix. Love Cat & Ben, but I think This Morning just feels dated to me tbh!’;
‘#ThisMorning – Ben & Cat will be great but the sadness that there’s no set is strong – always my fave bits of a relaunch, new studio sets.’
Discussing the new hosts themselves, others added: ‘Might’ve had the wrong first impression about Ben and Cat. Give me another 2 hours but they seem to be doing pretty well #ThisMorning’;
‘I really like Cat and Ben and I’m sure they’ll be great as the new permanent presenters. Just relieved to finally have an end to all the chopping and changing, fingers crossed there’s some stability at last. Now just get them on the opening titles! #ThisMorning’;
‘Nice to see Ben Shepherd and Cat Deely presenting #ThisMorning’; ‘I love Ben & i love Cat …things are looking up.#ThisMorning’; ‘Jury’s out about Cat, but think Ben adds a level of professionalism that this show has long lacked #thismorning’.
