Telly veteran Kate Garraway could be about to take over the reins at This Morning after ITV bosses reportedly approached her.
The current Good Morning Britain presenter, who has been on our morning screens for almost 25 years, has a loyal following and show producers are hoping that could help save the popular daytime show.
“This Morning producers really need to shake things up to turn the programme’s fortunes around, and Kate would do just that,” a source tells Closer. “Kate is someone who ITV think could really connect and resonate with viewers and there’s a real push among many of the producers on This Morning to try to bring her in.
“She’s been on Good Morning Britain a long time now, but This Morning execs think she would be open to the idea of a switch and a new opportunity. This Morning is still one of the biggest jobs in TV, and Kate remains ambitious and would love a role like that.”
Earlier this year ITV announced a big shake up on the show after revealing that Kate’s former GMB host and best pal Ben Shephard would take over hosting duties alongside Cat Deeley.
But since the new presenting duo have taken over, viewing figures have dropped dramatically.
And now bosses are wondering if reuniting Kate, 57, and Ben, 49, could be the magic answer they need.
“This Morning’s ratings are nosediving, and although Cat and Ben are doing a great job, they just don’t seem to be clicking with viewers in the way everyone hoped that they would when they first arrived,” our source adds.
And with Kate, who’s mum to Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14, openly confessing that she needs to find ways to pay off the whopping £800,000 debt she accrued caring for her late husband Derek Draper, perhaps this could be just what she needs too.
The source says, “Kate has said herself she needs to look at finding fresh ways to pay for her debts. She’s planning to write a book, but new TV opportunities would present further ways to ensure a more secure future both for herself and her children.”
