GMB’s Ben Shephard to ‘replace Phillip Schofield’ as Holly Willougby’s This Morning co-host
BEN Shephard is set to “replace Phillip Schofield” as Holly Willougby’s This Morning co-host.
It comes after the popular GMB host, 48, wowed fans when he presented alongside Holly on the ITV flagship show this week.
Now it’s being reported that he impressed bosses so much, Ben could be in line to replace Phil, who quit the show earlier this year.
Since Phillip left, Holly has hosted the daytime TV show alongside a rotating roster of ITV stars including Josie Gibson, Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary and Craig Doyle.
But it’s Ben who has reportedly really impressed the network’s senior executives when he stepped in earlier this week.
A source told the Mail: “Ben did really well and the bosses loved his partnership with Holly and there was great feedback from many avenues.
“Ben is known throughout ITV as being very popular with the audiences of whatever shows he hosts. He is also trusted by the public and is much loved within ITV. He has hosted so many shows for the channel.
“He and Holly go back years too – he presented on This Morning some years ago and they have a great rapport.”
Ben currently hosts Good Morning Britain and rotates with Richard Madeley, Ed Balls and Martin Lewis.
He also hosts the ITV quiz Tipping Point, which is pre-recorded, and the Saturday game show Ninja Warrior UK.
Meanwhile, viewers were also impressed by Ben that they called for him to get the full-time job – saying that him and Holly make the “perfect match”.
One fan wrote: “Ben’s a natural for this show – class act. They should ditch Holly and permanently pair him up with someone else
Another posted: “Ben should be permanent with Holly. They’ve worked together loads. He can laugh at the right moment. He’s not loud. He’s respectful.. he’s professional.”
It comes after Holly told The Sun at the NTAs that she is keen to have a permanent co-host but said it’s up to fans who she gets.
Holly admitted: “Obviously a permanent one [host], that would be ideal.”
When asked who she would like to team-up with, Holly continued: “That’s the question, everyone keeps asking me and I guess I ask myself and the truth of it is, is that it’s not really down to me.
“It’s a bit like the NTA thing really, it’s a viewer vote – we listen to what people say and think and the decision will be on who people like, rather than what I have to say.
“People think I have a lot to say and a lot of say in it.”