Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford are leaving This Morning - here's when and who is stepping in
In mid-November, it was revealed that Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford were to be dropped from their usual weekly slot on This Morning after 14 years, with new presenters taking over the reins.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdITV confirmed that the two would be stepping down from their regular Friday slot.
This is what you need to know.
Who is replacing Eamonn and Ruth?
Eamonn and Ruth are set to be replaced by new presenting duo Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
Alison originally found fame after she first appeared in the third season of Big Brother, in 2002. Since then, she has appeared on a number of television programmes, including I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here; Celebrity Masterchef and Strictly Come Dancing.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdShe has also been a panelist on ITV’s Loose Women, as well as presenting and reporting on This Morning.
Dermot has also had his fair share of presenting jobs, hosting shows such as Big Brother’s Little Brother, The X Factor, the 37th BRIT Awards and a few episodes of The Nightly Show on ITV.
Dermot has also previously guest presented on This Morning.
Alison and Dermot have previously been paired up together as stand in presenters on the show, with the two most recently appearing together last month.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdEmma Gormley, managing director of ITV Daytime, said: “We are delighted that Alison and Dermot will be joining the main presenting family on This Morning.
“Alison has provided some of the most memorable moments on the show in recent times, and teamed up with the brilliant Dermot, we think they are a great pairing in addition to our fabulous presenting line-up of Philip and Holly, and Eamonn and Ruth.”
When will Eamonn and Ruth stop presenting?
The married presenting duo will continue to appear on their regular Friday slot until January 2021, however it’s unclear when specifically their last show will be.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFrom 8 January 2021, Alison and Dermot will take over presenting This Morning on Fridays.
However, this doesn’t mean that Eamonn and Ruth will disappear from TV screens forever - instead, the two will host the main show for six weeks during school holidays, taking over from Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield.
Holly and Philip will continue to host the ITV show from Monday to Thursday.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdRuth is also expected to remain on Loose Women, which she has been a regular panelist on since 1999.
What have Alison and Dermot said?
Alison said: “I never dreamed that when I first joined This Morning - initially for a few months - that I would still be there 19 years later.
“I genuinely care about the show and the viewers who watch, so it’s a huge privilege and honour to be hosting a show I adore so much. I’m just really excited to be doing even more of what I love alongside the lovely Dermot.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDermot also added: “I’m deeply thrilled and honoured to be joining the This Morning team next year. We have huge shoes to fill and we are well aware what a privilege it is to be stepping into them.
“Above all, we want to have fun and for you to be able to kick the weekend off with a smile, especially given the year we’ve all had.
“So I'm delighted to be co-hosting with the living embodiment of sunshine on a rainy date. I can’t wait to get started.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWhat have Eamonn and Ruth said?
The two have remained largely quiet about the announcement, however they did issue a joint statement on their Twitter accounts on 30 November.
Both Eamonn and Ruth posted the same statement, tweeting: “It’s a changing of the guard on Fridays from January.
“We hope you make Alison and Dermot as welcome as you’ve made us over the years. Have a Ball you two! It’s not goodbye from us, it’s simply Au Revoir until the next half term.”
A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title Yorkshire Evening Post