While co-hosting This Morning would be a dream for many, Cat Deeley has faced an intense backlash since taking on the job earlier this year. Even now, while the presenter is enjoying a seven-week summer break, we’re told the stress of the dropping viewing figures has left Cat considering her future on the show.
Cat, 47, has been sharing snaps of her French trip, with fans delighted to see her enjoying time with presenter husband Patrick Kielty and their sons, Milo, eight, and James, five. But having taken over the ITV presenting role back in March, it hasn’t been an easy start. With dwindling viewing figures and online trolling, our source says Cat is having second thoughts about her “golden gig”.
“Cat’s aware that not everyone is happy with how she’s doing. She’s decided to give it a year, but if it doesn’t work out, she’ll walk,” a source tells heat.
“She has so many achievements under her belt, she’ll easily walk into another job, and she doesn’t need drama in her life. She always said she would give it her best shot, but if people don’t like her, she’s not going to bend over backwards trying to prove them wrong.”
It hasn’t been smooth sailing for Cat, who took over presenting duties alongside Ben Shephard, 49, following long-term hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s departures. Reports surfaced at the time that the show was seeing record lows for viewing figures, with an insider saying the show was “in crisis”. Viewers haven’t warmed to the new hosts, with one writing, “Let’s see if they come back in September. Their viewing figures suggest maybe not.”
Back in June, Cat also found herself in hot water after comparing her dancing to “having a seizure”. The on-air comment drew criticism from epilepsy charities, with Cat later saying, “I wanted to apologise to anyone who was offended yesterday when I made a light-hearted comment about my dancing style.”
Now, our source says Cat’s feeling the pressure, but is hoping viewers will stick with her. “She feels as though she’s been tasked with trying to steady the ship, as well as breathing some new life into the daytime staple,” we’re told. “She thinks she’s doing a great job, but also knows it’s going to take time. She hopes viewers will be patient, and she is confident that over time, the audience will come around.”
