Cat Deeley is reportedly being lined up to stand-in for pal Ant McPartlin on the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent, should his wife Anne-Marie Corbett go into labour.
The host, 48, is set to become a father for the first time in June, which coincides with the competition’s live shows after last year’s final aired June 4.
Now according to The Sun ITV are putting together a consistency plan just in case the Geordie be forced to rush off and leave sidekick Declan Donnelly‘s side.
According to the publication new This Morning host Cat, 47, could be drafted in as a guest host, with Stephen Mulhern‘s name also in the mix.
A source said: ‘The timing is causing something of a headache for bosses.
The host is set to become a father for the first time in June, which coincides with the competition’s live shows (Ant and Anne-Marie pictured in February)
‘They are considering whether Dec would present alone if Anne-Marie went into labour or, if time allows, a guest presenter could step in. Cat and Stephen, who the lads have worked with in the past, are front-runners.’
Cat hosted SMTV with Ant and Dec from 1998-2001 while Stephen appears with the duo regularly on Saturday Night Live.
MailOnline have contacted ITV for comment.
Last month, Ant broke his silence on becoming a father for the first time in a candid interview as he spoke about taking a break from hosting Saturday Night Takeaway.
Ant opened up about the real reasons for the show’s pause in an interview with Fault Magazine as he publicly addressed his wife’s pregnancy for the first time.
He said: ‘We [he and Declan Donnelly] have both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit.
‘We need time to think and, and time to step back and look at the bigger picture and just see where we are now.’
Ant is set to become a father for the first time in June. It will be Ant’s first while Anne-Marie has two children from her previous marriage.
Now according to reports ITV are putting together a consistency plan should Ant (L) be forced to rush off and leave sidekick Declan Donnelly’s (R) side (pictured together on the show in 2023)
Cat hosted SMTV with Ant and Dec from 1998-2001 (pictured on the show in 1999)
Meanwhile Dec shares two children – Isla, age five, and Jack, one, with his wife Ali Astall.
It was previously rumoured in December that Anne-Marie could be expecting their first child, after she appeared to be several months pregnant while returning from a trip to Dubai.
According to The Sun Ant had already confided the wonderful news to Dec following weeks of speculation, with a source telling the publication: ‘This is the news everyone wanted. Ant and Anne- Marie are beyond delighted.’
‘It’s no secret that Ant has always wanted children, but that it may never happen for him was something he had, sadly, come to terms with.’
They went on to describe Ant as a ‘wonderful doting father’ to Anne-Marie’s children and said the couple did everything they could to keep the news a secret for as long as possible.
Adding: ‘To be having a child two years short of his 50th birthday, with the love of his life, is the stuff of dreams for Ant.’
It was previously rumoured in December that Anne-Mari was expecting their first child (seen at their wedding)
Ant has always been open about his desire to be a father.
In 2013 he revealed his and ex-wife Lisa Armstrong’s struggles, saying: ‘There’s a rumour that I’m holding off having kids till Dec finds himself Mrs Right.
‘I love that idea, but I’m afraid it’s not true. Lisa and I would love to have kids. We’re trying. It’s tougher than you think when you get a bit older.’
The TV star credits his wife, who he married in a lavish £500k wedding in 2021, for getting him through his alcohol and prescription drug addictions.
