This Morning Cat Deeley absent as Angela Scanlon steps in to host live show

Ben Shephard opened Tuesday's broadcast by announcing that Cat Deeley was "away, " minutes after the show began, and introduced Angela Scanlon as his replacement. The sudden change left viewers asking where Cat Deeley was and set the agenda for a morning built around Scanlon's improvised hosting and scheduled news segments.

Ben Shephard's on-air explanation and studio exchange

Just minutes into the programme, Ben Shephard welcomed Angela Scanlon and told viewers that "Cat is away, " offering no further details about Deeley's absence. He described Scanlon's arrival as "a little play date with Angela, " and the two presenters moved quickly into light conversation to fill the opening of the show. Shephard referenced the pair's recent on-screen partnership, noting that he and Cat had hosted together on Monday, and said Scanlon would join him "for a few days. " He also set the tone for the morning by teasing a mix of current headlines and lighter features.

Angela Scanlon on half-term and family life

Scanlon used early airtime to trade anecdotes about her own household. She joked that half-term had been like "a boxing match, " describing her children as a four-year-old and a soon-to-be eight-year-old who "turns eight tomorrow. " She said they had secured "birthday bangs yesterday" — a new haircut she likened to a Hannah Montana–inspired look — and that the family were relieved to have the children back at school. Scanlon, who is married to Roy Horgan and has daughters Ruby and Marnie, thanked viewers before the show moved on to its scheduled items.

This Morning Cat Deeley: absence sparks viewer questions

Deeley, 49, normally fronts the weekday programme alongside Ben Shephard, and her absence as the titles rolled prompted immediate reaction from the audience. Viewers took to social posts to ask "No Cat today?" and to point out a continuity blooper when an announcer appeared not to have been informed. One viewer called Scanlon a "breath of fresh air" for stepping in. The programme's team has not provided an on-air explanation beyond Shephard's brief remarks, and Deeley's representatives were contacted for comment.

Scheduled segments and political headlines

Behind the lighter chat, the broadcast kept to its wider schedule. Scanlon and Shephard flagged a forthcoming conversation with Nick Ferrari and Ashley James about a guest who "has been released on bail after Peter Mandelson's arrest last night on suspicion of misconduct in public office. " Shephard also referenced a cultural segment on 1990s fashion, mentioning the Spice Girls, Friends and Snake as hallmarks of the era. The programme airs at 10am on weekdays and combined the planned news discussion with entertainment features during the morning slot.

Scanlon's past cover roles and audience reaction history

This was not Scanlon's first time standing in on the programme. She first took the reins just before Christmas alongside Dermot O'Leary, who — the show has used him and Alison Hammond as regular cover presenters. Scanlon, known for hosting roles on The One Show and for her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, also hosts a podcast with Vicky Pattison. Her previous turns covering the programme drew an immediate warming from viewers, with social responses praising her style and calling for more frequent appearances.

Cat Deeley's unexpected absence produced a clear cause-and-effect sequence on air: Deeley's unavailability led to Scanlon stepping in, which in turn prompted viewer curiosity and on-screen adjustments to maintain the planned mix of news and lighter segments. What makes this notable is how quickly the live schedule adapted, switching from the regular presenting pairing to substitute hosting while preserving headline interviews and planned features.

The broadcast also directed viewers to a new showbiz and entertainment website for the latest TV and movie news, and proceeded with its advertised line-up, keeping the slot to its mix of news, culture and lighter conversation. Unclear in the provided context is the reason for Deeley's absence; only that Shephard described her as "away" and that Angela Scanlon would be presenting in her place for the immediate period.