Christine Lampard will step in as a host for ITV's "This Morning" this summer, taking the reins alongside Craig Doyle. This programming change comes as regular hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard are on their summer break. Lampard's return to the "This Morning" sofa marks a prominent role for the summer period, though she has served as a regular stand-in presenter on the show since 2013.
The network's adjustments to its daytime schedule also include reduced airtime for "Loose Women" and "Lorraine." Last year, ITV announced that both "Lorraine" and "Loose Women" would broadcast for 30 weeks annually instead of 52, a decision that led to significant staff redundancies, impacting over 220 of the 440 individuals involved in their production. The running time for "Lorraine" was also shortened by 30 minutes.
In addition to Lampard and Doyle, "This Morning" will feature other presenters during the summer months, including Josie Gibson, Paddy McGuinness, Sian Welby, Angela Scanlon, and Rylan Clark. Lampard has been a fixture on "Loose Women" since 2016 and has previously hosted "Lorraine" when the usual host was on holiday.
ITV Studios will continue to produce "Lorraine," "Loose Women," and "This Morning." However, the company is reportedly consulting on a plan to consolidate the three separate production teams into one, with "This Morning" receiving priority for celebrity bookings. The budget cuts have led to a somber mood among some of the daytime television staff. Nadia Sawalha, a panellist on "Loose Women," expressed her devastation over the show's reduced output and the resulting job losses, particularly for those behind the scenes.
ITV announced these changes as part of a broader restructuring of its daytime programming. The production of "Good Morning Britain" will be managed by a dedicated team within ITV News. Amid these shifts, the network has stated its commitment to offering a vibrant lineup for viewers during the summer.
Fans have reacted positively to the announcement of Lampard and Doyle hosting "This Morning," with many expressing anticipation for their on-screen partnership. Comments on social media highlighted the presenters' Irish heritage and predicted an enjoyable viewing experience.