Vernon Kay Forced To Miss This Morning Presenting Debut After Contracting Covid

The presenter said he was "absolutely gutted" to miss the show.

Vernon Kay has been forced to pull out of his This Morning presenting debut after testing positive for Covid-19

The I’m A Celebrity star will miss his first time hosting the ITV daytime show on Tuesday, with Eamonn Holmes stepping in to replace him. 

Vernon was due to host three episodes along with Rochelle Humes this week, ahead of the return of regular presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield next month. 

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Vernon Kay
ITV/Shutterstock

Eamonn – who has hosted This Morning over the summer with wife Ruth Langsford – also stepped in on Monday to cover for Alison Hammond, who missed the show due to illness. 

He tweeted on Sunday: “Just when u thought you’d got rid of me…sickness with @AlisonHammond and @vernonkay means I’m off the bench.

“Get well soon to them but I have my boots on and I’m ready to play. Monday and Tues line up is now myself and @RochelleHumes. Hope you can join us.”

Speaking to The Sun, Vernon said: “I’m absolutely gutted that because of a positive Covid test I’m no longer able to present on This Morning next week with Rochelle nor do Radio 2 guest hosting and Steve Wright’s cover, two iconic shows which I’ve been a fan of for decades.”

Alison was also due to return to This Morning on Friday to host alongside Rochelle, but it is currently unclear if she will be able to present. 

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Regular Friday hosts Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond on This Morning
ITV/Shutterstock

Regular Friday co-host Dermot O’Leary will be hosting parts of Friday’s show live from Manchester, where he will be based in preparation for charity football match Soccer Aid.

This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV. 

Random TV pairings who've hosted This Morning
Nigel Havers and Lisa Snowdon(01 of13)
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If ever there was a more random TV pairing, we'd like to hear about it. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Mollie King and Mark Wright(02 of13)
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Former Saturdays singer Mollie was an addition to the presenting team over the summer of 2018, and was randomly paired up with former 'TOWIE' star Mark for one edition. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Michael Ball and Sara Cox(03 of13)
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Michael and Sara's one-episode stint in 2018 gifted birthed the best presenting duo name ever - ladies and gents, we give you Cox and Ball. (credit:Rex/Shutterstock/ITV/Ken McKay)
Kerry Katona and Brian McFadden(04 of13)
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Following tradition of married couples hosting the show, our Kerreh fronted an edition with then-husband Brian in 2001 - six years before *that* infamous interview with Phil and Fern. (credit:Rex)
Patrick Kielty and Emma Willis(05 of13)
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Patrick teamed up with 'Big Brother' host Emma Willis over the summer of 2012. While the pairing was perfectly pleasant, we're still wondering what made producers throw them together. (credit:Rex)
Twiggy and Coleen Nolan(06 of13)
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This part of This Morning's 28-year history is often glossed over, but you might just remember Twiggy and Coleen were picked as Richard and Judy's full-time replacements in 2001. They only lasted a few months in the job before being axed. (credit:Rex)
Jamie Theakston and Emma Bunton(07 of13)
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The former 'Live And Kicking' presenter hadn't been seen on screens for a while when he hosted some shows with Emma Bunton over the summer of 2013. But the pairing proved successful, as the Spice Girl was later hired to co-host his Heart radio breakfast show. (credit:Rex)
Tim Vincent and Kate Garraway(08 of13)
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We've not heard or seen anything from former 'Blue Peter' presenter Tim in yeaaars, but he did guest host the show with Kate Garraway in 2005.
Denise Van Outen and Richard Bacon(09 of13)
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Another random pairing, but both Denise and Richard had experience in hosting morning telly, having previously fronted Channel 4's 'The Big Breakfast', albeit it with separate co-hosts. Here they are on 'This Morning' in 2005. (credit:Rex)
Jeremy Kyle and Kate Thornton(10 of13)
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Given his direct, and often rude, approach on his own show, Jeremy seemed a bit of an odd choice to present the warm and friendly 'This Morning' alongside former X Factor host Kate Thornton in 2010. (credit:Rex)
Paddy McGuinness and Andrea Catherwood(11 of13)
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Another 'who the hell stuck these two together?' pairing came in the form of former ITV newsreader Andrea and 'Take Me Out' host Paddy McGuinness, who presented 'This Morning' together for a couple of episodes in 2011. (credit:Rex)
Matthew Kelly(12 of13)
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The 'Stars In Their Eyes' presenter stepped in for Richard and Judy with Sarah Kennedy back in the 1990s. (credit:Rex)
Amanda Byram and Jake Humphrey(13 of13)
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Amanda was best known for hosting the likes of 'Total Wipeout' and 'Something For The Weekend' and was teamed up with former CBBC-turned-sports presenter Jake Humphrey in 2013. (credit:Rex)