Dermot O'Leary has shared a heartfelt tribute to This Morning staff who were marking their last day on the show, describing it as 'the end of an era' for some. The 52-year-old presenter took to Instagram to thank the team for their 'selfless hard work' and professionalism, noting that changes at ITV in the New Year mean many colleagues will be moving to other daytime programmes or leaving the company.
In his post, O'Leary wrote: 'A quick word about an incredible team. The last day for many at @thismorning. For some it’s the end of an era, for others the start of a new story. I just wanted to say thanks, for all their selfless hard work, going above and beyond to put out two hours plus of TV every day.' He praised the team for 'turning up with professionalism, humour, and good grace every day' and for doing their work 'in the shadows' so the presenters could 'dance under those lights'.
Fellow presenters also expressed their support. Rochelle Humes called the team 'the best ever', while Jeff Brazier described O'Leary's words as 'beautifully put'. Kate Lawler and Ashley James echoed the sentiments, and Angela Scanlon, who recently made her This Morning hosting debut, posted a string of clapping emojis. O'Leary shared a rare picture of the studio set showing the lights and cameras, with staff waving.
The changes to ITV's daytime schedule include an extension of Good Morning Britain by 30 minutes, while Lorraine and Loose Women will be reduced to 30 weeks a year and 30-minute episodes. Lorraine Kelly commented that the cuts were 'not really' a surprise and reflected the state of the industry, adding that she was 'glad that we're still there' and that some jobs had been saved by moving staff to This Morning.
