ITV marked its 70th anniversary with a star-studded gala at London’s Guildhall on Monday, drawing presenters, actors and personalities from across the network for an evening celebrating seven decades of broadcasting.
Hosts, soap stars and daytime faces posed on the Guildhall steps as comedian Joel Dommett led the event, which organisers said honoured landmark moments across news, drama and entertainment since the channel’s first transmission in 1955 from the same location.
Among those arriving was This Morning presenter Cat Deeley, who drew attention in a long-sleeved bright orange minidress. Deeley, who has been public about her recent separation from husband Patrick Kielty, posed with co-presenter Ben Shephard, who wore a navy suit. Former Love Island contestant turned presenter Olivia Attwood attended in a white oversized blazer over a crop top with high-waisted wide-leg trousers.
Other ITV regulars and stars from the channel’s soap and drama output were also present. Good Morning Britain anchor Susanna Reid wore a black evening gown with a high slit, while her colleague Charlotte Hawkins attended in an embroidered blue sheer dress. Lorraine Kelly, who will move to a reduced schedule later this year, arrived in turquoise. Graham Norton attended in a grey velvet suit. Longstanding ITV News anchor Mary Nightingale, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore with partner Iain Stirling, quiz personality Anne Hegerty and Loose Women veteran Gloria Hunniford were among the guests photographed on arrival.
Cast members from the network’s soaps represented long-running series. Emmerdale actors Charlotte Bellamy, Zoe Henry, Lisa Riley and Natalie J. Robb arrived at the Guildhall, while Coronation Street was represented by Ben Price, Barbara Knox and Channique Sterling-Brown. Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and actress Fay Ripley also attended.
The gala comes as ITV prepares changes to its daytime output. The broadcaster announced plans earlier this year to reduce costs across several programmes, with Lorraine and Loose Women set to move to seasonal runs and Lorraine cut to a 30-minute daily slot. ITV also confirmed that some daytime shows will vacate their Television Centre studios in West London. Previous reporting indicated the programmes are due to broadcast from a smaller studio at The Hospital Club next year.
ITV last held a major anniversary event at the Guildhall in 2005 to mark its 50th year. The 70th-anniversary evening aimed to showcase the network’s variety of programming and the talent behind it while acknowledging the financial and scheduling pressures shaping its current strategy.
Organisers said the event highlighted both legacy and contemporary highlights from the channel’s archive. No speeches or formal programming changes were announced during the gala itself, which focused on bringing together on-screen talent past and present for a commemorative evening.