Ben Shephard’s Good Morning Britain replacement ‘revealed’ by bookies after presenter lands This Morning job
BEN Shephard has a TV rival after heading over to This Morning.
The Tipping Point anchor, 48, has previously been absent from the show.
Now, Ben (alongside Cat Deeley) are set for big-money deals as the new faces of This Morning.
ITV bosses have chosen the new pair to replace Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
Of course, with the presenter role shake-up, it begs the question – who will take over Ben’s role on Good Morning Britain?
Neil Roarty, a spokesperson for bettingsites.co.uk, explained: “We certainly seem to be in the midst of a presenter transfer window across several British TV programmes, with Ben Shephard’s reported departure to the This Morning sofa raising the question of who will fill in on the Good Morning Britain panel.
“It’s Adil Ray who is the current favourite with us to assume the vacancy due to his previous experience of hosting the show, with Martin Lewis second in the betting at 4/1.
“Should none of the market favourites be awarded the role, then watch out for the likes of Ed Balls (10/1), Richard Madeley (10/1) and Jeremy Kyle (16/1) – each of whom have been given a reasonable chance of getting the call up.”
Adil Ray has had a career on our TV screens spanning almost 20 years.
He hit the big time in 2012 when his sitcom Citizen Khan, starring himself in the title role, was commissioned by the BBC.
In 2018, Ray became a presenter on Good Morning Britain, initially as a stand-in presenter.
Initially the star did not pursue a career in the entertainment industry, earning a degree in marketing at Huddersfield University.
Last night a source said of Ben and Cat’s new gig: “This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right.
“Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.”
It is understood that Cat and Ben will be paid around £550,000 each to present This Morning – which is £150,000 less than Holly and Phil.
Meanwhile TV star Josie Gibson, 38, is set to benefit after winning new fans with her appearance on I’m a Celebrity.
The Sun recently revealed she has had talks to feature more prominently and regularly — and can expect a 50 per cent pay rise.