Angela Scanlon steps in as Cat Deeley misses live This Morning

Ben Shephard announced minutes into Tuesday's programme that Cat Deeley was absent and introduced angela scanlon as his co-host replacement. The switch prompted on-air jokes about family life and a stream of viewer questions when no explanation for Deeley's absence was offered.

Ben Shephard announces Cat Deeley's absence minutes into the show

Minutes into the Tuesday broadcast, Ben Shephard opened by telling viewers, "Hello and welcome to your Tuesday's This Morning, " and offered "a lovely, warm welcome to the gorgeous Angela Scanlon, who is here. " He then explained, "Cat is away, " without offering further details about his co-presenter. The pair had hosted together the previous day, with Ben noting the change while keeping the live show moving.

Angela Scanlon jokes about 'boxing match' half-term and daughter's birthday

Angela Scanlon joined Ben on air and replied, "Lovely to be here, " before turning to family anecdotes. She joked that half term "was like a boxing match. You know, a lovely, cuddly boxing match, " and said she has "a four-year-old and a soon-to-be eight-year-old. She turns eight tomorrow. " On celebration plans, she said, "Well, we got birthday bangs yesterday. A birthday haircut, " adding, "Very grown-up... I don't know where... I think Hannah Montana may be inspired, but she wanted bangs, and you know she's eight, so you get what you want when you're eight. " The presenter is married to Roy Horgan and has daughters Ruby and Marnie.

No explanation given for Deeley's absence as viewers ask questions

There was no real explanation on air for where Cat Deeley was, and viewers quickly took to social channels to ask. One user wrote simply, "No Cat today?" while another flagged a continuity blooper, saying "The continuity announcer obvs didn't get the memo re Cat. " Other posts welcomed the replacement, with one commenting, "Breath of fresh air having Angela Scanlon presenter!" Additional messages included, "I like Angela, she is very mischievous, and I like that!" and "Angela Scanlon is FANTASTIC hosting This Morning. Needs to be full-time. " Another viewer added, "Angela Scanlon makes This Morning instantly more watchable. She'd be my first choice to replace Claudia (Winkleman) on Strictly - similar adorable quirky energy!" Cat Deeley's representatives were contacted for comment.

Guests and headlines lined up amid live banter about the 90s

During the opening, Angela and Ben previewed the day's segments: Ben said that "in just a moment, he has been released on bail after Peter Mandelson's arrest last night on suspicion of misconduct in public office, " and that Nick Ferrari and Ashley James would be present to discuss that and other headlines. Ben also added a lighter aside about the programme's pop-culture focus, noting the 90s era that brought "the Spice Girls, Friends, and of course, Snake, " and calling the decade iconic for fashion.

Angela's previous cover stints and other projects

Angela has stepped in on the show before: she first took the reins just before Christmas alongside Dermot O'Leary, who normally provides cover with Alison Hammond. Off-screen, Angela hosts a podcast with close friend Vicky Pattison, a detail she has mentioned while guest-presenting. The programme airs from 10am on weekdays.

On-air chemistry and the week ahead

Ben teased a short run of alternated hosting, telling Angela, "Cat's away, so like a little play date with Angela, " and later saying, "Cat's away, so I get a little playdate with Angela for a few days. " After Angela signed off with "Thank you. Goodbye. Love you, " Ben added, "So while they're at school, we can play here in the studio. We've got a good show playing, don't we?" The unscheduled change and the lack of an immediate explanation left viewers watching for updates through the day.