Viewers tuning in to ITV’s This Morning on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, were met with a surprise: Cat Deeley, the show’s regular co-host, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the familiar face of Irish presenter Angela Scanlon joined Ben Shephard on the famous sofa, sparking a flurry of questions and reactions from fans across social media.
It was Ben Shephard, 51, who first addressed the elephant in the room, albeit with little detail. Opening the show, he said warmly, “A lovely, warm welcome to the gorgeous Angela Scanlon, who is here. Lovely to have you here.” Scanlon, 42, replied with a smile, “Lovely to be here,” before Shephard casually explained, “Cat’s away, so like a little play date with Angela.” That was about as much information as viewers got regarding Cat Deeley’s absence. No further explanation was offered, leaving fans to speculate and wonder what had happened to the regular host.
The sudden change didn’t go unnoticed. Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was quickly awash with comments. Some viewers expressed confusion, with posts like “No Cat today?” and “The continuity announcer obvs didn’t get the memo re Cat.” Others, however, embraced the shake-up, describing Scanlon as a “breath of fresh air” and even calling for her to become a more regular fixture on the show. One user wrote, “Angela is far more natural and herself than Cat,” while another pleaded, “Can we please replace Cat Deeley with Angela Scanlon?”
Angela Scanlon’s return to This Morning wasn’t her first rodeo. She had previously stepped in just before Christmas 2025, co-hosting alongside Dermot O’Leary. She’s also a familiar face on The One Show, where she’s been regularly filling in for main presenter Alex Jones since 2016. Her versatility and charm have made her a favorite with audiences, and her stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 only added to her popularity.
On Tuesday’s episode, Scanlon quickly settled into her role, bringing her trademark warmth and humor. When Shephard asked about her half-term, she quipped, “Half term was like a boxing match. You know, a lovely, cuddly boxing match. Four-year-old and a soon-to-be eight-year-old. She turns eight tomorrow.” She went on to share a sweet family moment: “Well, we got birthday bangs yesterday. A birthday haircut. Very grown-up... I don’t know where... I think Hannah Montana may be inspired, but she wanted bangs, and you know she’s eight, so you get what you want when you’re eight!”
Shephard kept the tone light, joking, “So whilst they’re at school, we can play here in the studio. We’ve got a good show playing, don’t we?” The pair previewed the day’s segments, including a discussion on Peter Mandelson’s recent arrest and a nostalgic look at 90s culture—complete with references to the Spice Girls, Friends, and the classic mobile game Snake. It was a packed morning, with guests like Eternal singer Louise Redknapp, interior designer Kelly Hoppen, and money-saving expert Martin Lewis joining the fun.
Ben and Cat Deeley have been the main duo on This Morning since 2024, stepping in after the high-profile departures of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. Their arrival marked a new era for the program, which had been through its share of turbulence in recent years. Deeley’s absence on Tuesday was particularly notable because she had hosted the show as usual on Monday, February 23, 2026, without announcing she wouldn’t appear the next day. As a result, fans were caught off guard, and The Mirror even reported that Cat Deeley’s representatives had been contacted for comment regarding her sudden disappearance from the studio.
Despite the initial confusion, many viewers embraced the change. Social media buzzed with praise for Scanlon’s presenting style. Comments ranged from “Angela Scanlon is FANTASTIC hosting This Morning. Needs to be full-time,” to “Angela Scanlon makes This Morning instantly more watchable. She’d be my first choice to replace Claudia (Winkleman) on Strictly—similar adorable quirky energy!” Some even took the opportunity to critique the regular lineup, with one viewer writing, “No cackling Cat today... thank God... now to get rid of Shepherd.”
Scanlon’s busy schedule was also a topic of conversation. Just last month, she became the face of the new Apprentice spin-off series, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, replacing comedian Tom Allen. In this role, she discusses the main show with industry experts and celebrity fans and interviews the latest fired candidate, providing a fresh perspective on Lord Alan Sugar’s boardroom drama.
Beyond her television work, Scanlon is known for her podcast with Vicky Pattison and her candidness about the challenges of balancing career and family. During Tuesday’s show, she joked about the chaos of half-term at home with her two daughters, Ruby and Marnie, and her husband, Roy Horgan. “A lovely cuddly boxing match!” she laughed, painting a relatable picture for parents everywhere.
But Scanlon has also shown she’s unafraid to speak out about uncomfortable moments in her career. She recently shared a story on the Where There’s A Will, There’s a Wake podcast about an inappropriate encounter with a well-known male celebrity guest on live television. “He turned around to me and he said— I was wearing jeans and a blazer, not that that should matter— but he said, ‘Are you wearing panties underneath those?’ And then, boom, we are live on air,” Scanlon recalled. She described the internal conflict of wanting to call him out while maintaining professionalism, saying, “He was such a creep. It was too much.”
As the credits rolled on Tuesday’s episode of This Morning, the question of Cat Deeley’s whereabouts remained unanswered. ITV and Deeley’s representatives had yet to comment publicly, and the network offered no clues during the broadcast. The continuity announcer even appeared to be caught off guard, adding to the sense of confusion among viewers.
Still, the day belonged to Angela Scanlon, whose easy rapport with Shephard and natural presenting style won over many fans. Whether this marks the beginning of a more regular role for her on This Morning remains to be seen. For now, one thing is clear: viewers appreciate a little unpredictability, especially when it brings a “breath of fresh air” to their morning routine.