Cat Deeley Wins Over Viewers As She Resurrects Classic SM:TV Segment During This Morning Debut

"Cat is like a breath of fresh air..."
Rylan Clark and Cat Deeley on the set of This Morning
Rylan Clark and Cat Deeley on the set of This Morning
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

With Holly Willoughby leaving the show last month, This Morning viewers have been left wondering who will replace her as presenter.

Over the weeks, a host of famous faces – including This Morning regulars Josie Gibson, Rochelle Humes and Alison Hammond – have all stepped up to the mark, and on Monday (13 November) it was the turn of Cat Deeley to have a go.

Joined by Rylan Clark as co-presenter, viewers were quick to heap praise on Cat, who has been hailed as a “breath of fresh air”.

“Absolutely loving Cat and Rylan on This Morning,” one viewer wrote on X/Twitter. “It’s been years since I’ve enjoyed watching This Morning. Finally, it’s back to its best with two amazing hosts!”

Meanwhile, another agreed: “Who else thinks Rylan and [Cat] should be permanent presenters on [This Morning]?”

Of course, Cat’s This Morning debut wouldn’t have been complete without a game of Wonky Donkey.

The “say what you see” rhyming game – which Cat previously used to play on SM:TV Live with her co-presenters Ant and Dec back in the late 90s – saw viewers call in and give their answers.

Rylan and Cat brought back Wonky Donkey as a one-off
Rylan and Cat brought back Wonky Donkey as a one-off
Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Prior to their appearance on This Morning, Rylan practically had the game written into their contract, joking that he “wasn’t doing it” if they didn’t play Wonky Donkey on the show.

Similarly, fans went wild for Wonky Donkey, as one viewer said: “Cat Deeley is brilliant and I’m glad to see Wonkey Donkey.”

Another added: “I’m surprised how good This Morning is today actually I think cat and Rylan are a good fit it doesn’t seem awkward at all and I’m loving wonky donkey.”

After impressing on her first day, Cat will be back on the This Morning sofa on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This Morning airs every weekday from 10am on ITV1.

Close

What's Hot