Cat Deeley Missing Again from This Morning as Angela Scanlon Steps In
Cat Deeley was absent from her regular presenting slot on ITV's This Morning for the second day in a row on Wednesday, with Angela Scanlon stepping in as a replacement without any official explanation provided to viewers. The sudden change in hosts left fans of the popular daytime show divided and questioning the reasons behind Deeley's disappearance.
Ben Shephard Announces Replacement Without Explanation
At the start of Wednesday's broadcast, co-host Ben Shephard revealed to viewers that he would be joined by former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Angela Scanlon, 42, for another day. Shephard simply pointed towards his new co-star and announced, "She's back! For another day, Angela Scanlon is with me!" This followed Tuesday's episode where Shephard had briefly stated "Cat is away" when Deeley was first missing, offering no further details about her absence or expected return date.
Viewers React with Divided Opinions on Social Media
The unexpected substitution sparked immediate reactions on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with viewers expressing confusion and mixed feelings about the change. Some questioned Deeley's whereabouts, with comments including "Where's Cat?" and "Team, where's Cat?" Others criticized the choice of replacement, with one viewer asking, "How far down the list of replacements was Angela Scanlon?" while another remarked, "Get rid of her and I may watch again."
However, many viewers came to Scanlon's defense, praising her performance on the show. One fan wrote, "Angela Scanlon is a total breath of fresh air on This Morning today! She stepped in at the last minute for Cat Deeley and the chemistry with Ben Shephard is already top-tier. Can we see more of this duo?" Another added, "Angela is great, natural, down to earth," while a third suggested, "Can we please replace Cat Deeley with Angela Scanlon?"
Deeley's Recent On-Air Moments and Social Media Activity
Cat Deeley, 49, was last seen on This Morning on Monday, where she was involved in a cheeky cooking segment that left her blushing. During the show, co-star Clodagh McKenna complimented Deeley's appearance in tight-fitting jeans, specifically mentioning her bottom and joking that viewership would "soar" if she wore them every day. Deeley responded with embarrassment, telling McKenna, "Oh my God, thank you... You are very, very kind and I think I'm probably blushing a bit now."
Despite her absence from the show, Deeley remained active on social media, sharing a snap on her Instagram stories of herself out in London's Mayfair with friends. Earlier this month, she had also posted about channeling Gwyneth Paltrow's fashion, wearing a red velvet suit similar to one the actress wore in 2021, though she humorously attributed the hairstyle choice to preventing a lice infestation from her two sons.
No Official Word on Deeley's Return
As of Wednesday's broadcast, ITV and the This Morning production team have provided no official explanation for Cat Deeley's absence or indicated when she might return to her regular presenting duties. The show continues with Ben Shephard and Angela Scanlon at the helm, leaving viewers to speculate about the reasons behind the unexpected host change and whether it might become a more permanent arrangement.
