ITV's This Morning descended into disarray on Monday (June 22) as Sir Keir Starmer stepped down as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party. The daytime show, which broadcasts from 10am, Monday to Friday, was abruptly delayed as live coverage of Keir's departure took priority.
Viewers React to Delay on Social Media
Viewers expecting the regular programming on ITV flocked to X, previously Twitter, to express their reactions over the delay. One person posted: "Where's this morning #thismorning" while another annoyed user commented: "Get #ThisMorning on! I want to hear Ben, Cat and Gyles Brandreth's views on the resignation." Meanwhile, a separate individual remarked about the timetable disruption: "Bumped till 10:30! #thismorning!"
News Special Interrupts Regular Schedule
After Keir Starmer's address, ITV transferred control to news presenter Tom Bradby and political journalist Robert Peston for a news special, reports the Mirror. However, as anticipated, This Morning subsequently returned to air at 10:30am with hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard resuming their positions.
Hosts Make Light of the Situation
Launching the programme, the duo made light of their lateness, with Cat hinting that Ben might have enjoyed a "lie-in". Acknowledging the postponement to the transmission, presenter Ben, 51, stated: "The Prime Minister has announced that he will be resigning as the Prime Minister, of course." Co-presenter Cat, 49, continued: "Of course, this time last week he was in this very studio where he told us he planned to fight on. We're discussing what all of that means a little bit later." Ben then joked: "Did we finish him off is this the thing, is that what you're saying?" to which Cat quipped: "Quite possibly!" with Ben adding: "It will be interesting to see what happens now!"
Starmer's Resignation Speech
Addressing the nation outside 10 Downing Street on Monday morning, Keir Starmer described becoming the UK's Prime Minister as the "proudest moment of my life". He further stated that every decision he had taken while in office had been focused on "putting the country I love first". Starmer acknowledged that his party had been questioning whether he's "best placed to lead us into the next general election", before declaring: "I have heard the answer".
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
