Viewers tuning into This Morning on Tuesday were quick to notice something was… different.
Cat Deeley was nowhere to be seen.
In her place stood Alison Hammond — and her unexpected appearance alongside Ben Shephard sparked instant buzz, playful teasing, and no shortage of speculation.
As the cameras rolled, Ben didn’t waste a second before delivering a sly on-air remark that fans immediately read as a subtle swipe.
“Looks like my Christmas wish just came true,” he joked, standing beside Alison for their first-ever presenting stint together.
“You never forget your first time, Alison.”
Alison, clearly caught off guard by the sudden hosting switch, laughed nervously.
“I was literally asleep… and now I’m here. What is happening?”
The moment was lighthearted — but behind the smiles, the sudden swap raised eyebrows across social media.
Ben Shephard has taken a withering swipe at Cat Deeley after the presenter was replaced by a familiar face on This Morning on Tuesday’s show
The TV presenter, who is normally joined by Cat, 49, from Monday to Thursday, instead found himself hosting the show alongside Alison Hammond
Why Was Cat Missing?
ITV offered no official explanation for Cat’s absence, but the timing couldn’t be more sensitive.
The presenter is still navigating the emotional fallout from her highly publicised split from husband Patrick Kielty, a separation that stunned fans just months ago. While the couple have insisted there was “no third party” involved, online reaction has been relentless — and often cruel.
Sources close to Cat previously revealed she was feeling anxious about returning to live television amid the wave of judgment aimed at her personal life.
And Tuesday’s unexplained disappearance only added fuel to the fire.
A New On-Screen Dynamic?
Alison Hammond, normally the familiar Friday face alongside Dermot O’Leary, stepped into the spotlight with ease — and viewers were quick to notice the instant chemistry between her and Ben.
Some fans praised the pairing as “refreshingly fun.”
Others openly questioned whether the shake-up hinted at something more permanent.
Was it just a one-day switch… or a quiet test run for the future?
Behind the Laughter, Real Pressure
While Ben’s joke drew laughs in the studio, many viewers sensed there was tension beneath the surface. Cat has reportedly been struggling with public backlash, including criticism from extended family members linked to her ex.
For someone usually known for her calm, polished presence on screen, the emotional weight of the past few months has been anything but light.
And now, every absence — every change — is being scrutinised.
One Missing Presenter. One Unexpected Pairing. A Lot of Questions.
Cat Deeley’s sudden disappearance from This Morning may have lasted just a day — but the ripple effect was immediate.
Was Ben joking?
Was Alison just filling in?
Or was Tuesday’s episode hinting at deeper changes behind the scenes?
For now, ITV remains silent.
But viewers are watching closely.