Dermot O'Leary used the opening of Friday's This Morning to praise his wife, Dee Koppang, as the new series of Disney+ drama Rivals, which she directed, became available to stream.
On the November 11 edition of the ITV show, O'Leary and co-host Alison Hammond danced to a-ha's Take On Me, introducing an episode dedicated to the 1980s. Guests included singer Billy Ocean, known for Caribbean Queen and When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going, alongside Celebrity Traitors star Joanne McNally.
An 80s-Themed Episode
O'Leary told viewers: "We are playing 80s songs today for two reasons; firstly, we've got music icon Billy Ocean in here later," with Hammond adding: "I can't believe it."
He continued: "Loads of 80s nostalgia this week after the return of hit series, Rivals," before revealing he had attended the launch for the show on Wednesday evening, as his wife directed some of the episodes. O'Leary said: "It went well. So my wife has directed the three episodes that are going out now," with Hammond responding: "So proud." He added: "Yeah, I am bursting with pride. So we had her big launch this week, and she absolutely smashed it."
Dee Koppang's Career
The 53-year-old presenter is married to film producer and director Dee Koppang, 47. The couple share one son, Kasper, born in 2020. They began dating in 2002, and O'Leary proposed in New York City almost a decade later. They married on September 14, 2012, at a church in Chiddingstone, Kent, with Holly Willoughby and Bear Grylls among the guests.
Koppang has directed episodes of Netflix shows including Bridgerton and The Crown, as well as The Split, Shipwrecked, and Dating in the Dark. Her credits also include Victoria's Secret lingerie shows, the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympic Games, and music videos for Justin Bieber and One Direction.
Rivals Returns for a Second Season
Most recently, Koppang directed episodes of Rivals, which released its second season on Disney+ on November 11. The cast includes Aidan Turner as Declan O'Hara, David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, Danny Dyer as Freddie Jones, Emily Atack as Sarah Stratton, Luca Pasqualino as Bas Baddingham, Bella Maclean as Taggie O'Hara, Nafessa Williams as Cameron Cook, and Katherine Parkinson as Lizzie Vereker.
Disney+ described the new series: "Rutshire is rocked by tragedy, scandal and betrayal as the battle between Venturer and Corinium reaches breaking point. As Tony Baddingham tightens his grip, leaks and buried secrets threaten to destroy families and careers. Declan fights to save Venturer while Rupert confronts difficult truths about love and loyalty."
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX.
