This Morning ‘confirm’ new presenter following Phillip Schofield departure | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV
ITV has reportedly confirmed Steve Jones will be joining This Morning to host alongside Josie Gibson.
The programme has seen a variety of hosts on a rotation basis recently, including main presenter Holly Willoughby alongside Josie, Alison Hammond, Craig Doyle and Dermot O’Leary.
It comes months after Phillip Schofield’s sensational departure from the show back in May, when he admitted to having an affair with a younger, male colleague.
An ITV source is said to have confirmed Welsh presenter Steve is now joining the hosts to work on Wednesdays alongside Josie.
They said: “The hope is that those watching at home will love Steve, he’s a very experienced broadcaster but also very cheeky.
“There is no permanent replacement for Phil, Holly will be presenting with Alison, Josie, Dermot, and Craig, and now probably Steve.”
Speaking to MailOnline, the insider continued: “Hopefully he will be part of the new dawn for This Morning after the Schofield scandal, and will help to give it a fresh new look.”
When approached by Express.co.uk, a spokesperson for ITV verified Steve would be joining the programme for next week’s instalment, stating: “Josie and Steve are presenting Wednesday’s show.”
The 46-year-old currently fronts the Formula 1 coverage on Channel 4 and rose to fame after presenting T4 in 2003.
He went on to work alongside Simon Cowell when he hosted X Factor USA.
While ITV has decided not to permanently replace Phillip and instead have Holly as the main host from Monday to Thursday, while Alison and Dermot front Friday’s shows as usual, fans have recently called for Craig to be a permanent fixture.
In recent months viewers have taken to social media to praise Craig’s presenting and ask for him to be an official replacement.
Twitter user @LynnTurley shared: “#ThisMorning Craig Doyle establishing in cement his credentials to replace Phil 100%.”(sic)
@Cheryl82185788 said: “This Morning has got to make Craig Doyle the permanent host, he is lovely, great personality and compliments Holly Willoughby on the sofa, fits in with the team like a glove. Come on This Morning make it happen.” (sic)
While @Loobylou65 added: “Craig Doyle is the best thing to have happened to #ThisMorning in a very long time.”
@eastleedslass praised: “Craig Doyle is superb on This Morning and if they’ve any brains he will get the permanent gig with Holly.”
“There’s such a warmth and calmness about Craig Doyle, Holly seems more relaxed with him too. Would not complain if he were to be permanent #ThisMorning,” @StephsMoansx commented.
Steve is set to make his This Morning debut next week.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
