ITV’s popular show This Morning has seen an incredibly difficult 2023. Between rumours of a feud between its star hosts, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield followed by the departure of the latter, the show has left viewers to deal with ongoing changes.
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ITV also made the choice to not permanently replace Phillip Schofield which means that viewers are currently having to deal with a constant rotation of hosts. Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle and very recently Steve Jones have all taken part of the show.
Some leaving viewers more excited than others…
Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammondaren’t at the top
The duo Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond have been regular faces on This Morning. Indeed the pair took over Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford in 2021, leaving them to host the show on Friday mornings.
In July 2023, it was announced by ITV that the pair, who have known each other since Hammond was on Big Brothers in 2002, would be hosting This Morning for the summer. At this news, reviews from viewers were mixed.
Some absolutely adore the two together as they seem to share an onscreen chemistry saying:
Love watching you both you work great together. I only watch it when you two are on xxx
While other fans didn’t really enjoy the pairing. Moreover, even though viewers are familiar with them, an article from Entertainment Dailydoesn’t place them at the top of the list people would like to see on the show permanently. O’Leary even places in last place.
Read more:This Morning: Can the ITV show be saved? Fans believe the show is 'dying a slow death'
Craig Doyle and Steve Jones surprise popularity
At first, when it was announced that Phillip Schofield would not be replaced but that, instead, ITV had chosen to have a ‘rotation of hosts’ alongside Holly Willoughby upon her return in the Autumn, viewers were not pleased.
Indeed, under an article from Mail Onlinepeople are asking for new blood, suggesting that since Schofield left, maybe Willoughby should do the same.
Some comments read:
Yawn… show needs a revamp!
Listen to the public ITV. Time for NEW talent or put the show out of its misery (and ours for that matter).
However, some co-hosts have made viewers very happy. The first example of that is Craig Doyle who hosted alongside Willoughby in June 2023 and also during the summer with Josie Gibson. Both his appearances next to Gibson and Willoughby have been widely appreciated.
Commenters saying:
Brilliant presenter. Needs to be permanent on the This Morning Sofa ou need to be the new permanent presenter when holy returns in sept
Craig is brilliant on the show,hope they keep him permanently 🔥
While Doyle seemed like the fan favourite for a while, a brand new presenter has entered the debate: Steve Jones.
Jones hosted This Morning alongside Josie Gibson yesterday, 16 August for the first time ever and he was an instant hit!
Love Steve Jones, but how is this his first time presenting This Morning? Could have sworn he’d done it before #ThisMorning
— 🐈🪴🍄✨Pickle✨🍄🪴🐈 (@FlopsyPickle) August 16, 2023
I’d forgotten what a great TV presenter Steve Jones is. Actually - I’m not sure I ever realised! Great addition to #ThisMorning and his Josie partnership already feels natural.
— Rapunzel Rapunzel (@rapunzelrobot) August 16, 2023
Sources:
Express: Holly Willoughby will present This Morning with a 'rotation of co-hosts' in new deal
Manchester Evening News: This Morning confirms Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary's future as Holly Willoughby takes 'break'
Mail Online: EXCLUSIVE - Holly Willoughby in charge as ITV bosses decide not to replace Phillip Schofield: Star will present This Morning with a rotation of co-hosts when she returns from her summer break - as she prepares to sign a new deal to save show
Entertainment Daily: Every single Phillip Schofield replacement on This Morning ranked (look away Dermot O’Leary!)
