This Morning stars Eamonn and Ruth apparently fear “being axed” as a result of ITV’s diversity drive.
It’s been reported that the husband and wife team may be the “highest-profile casualties” of ITV boss Martin Frizell’s shake-up plans.
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, both 60, hosted the show all summer in Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s absence.
However, it seems the couple’s fate rests in the hands of “internal research” which is said to be underway.
So who could replace Eamonn and Ruth on This Morning?
Rochelle Humes, 31, and Ore Oduba, 34 – who also presented This Morning over the summer – have been mooted as possible replacements.
A TV source told The Sun about the couple’s fears.
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“Eamonn and Ruth are incredibly popular with viewers and loved across the board. No one wants to see them go. The show’s execs have some very tricky decisions,” the source said.
Eamonn apparently fears he is “too pale, stale and male” and “not in line with the youth drive broadcasters are after”.
No one wants to see them go and the show’s execs have some very tricky decisions.
It’s been reported that one possibility is to keep Eamonn and Ruth on as regular holiday cover but drop them from their regular Friday slot.
“Nothing’s been decided yet, and much rests on this internal poll,” the source added.
The reshuffle news comes two months after ITV chief Carolyn McCall is said to have sent an email outlining her diversity and inclusion plan.
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Holly and Phil are widely regarded as untouchable, but it seems the same can’t be said for Eamonn and Ruth.
As a result of 64-year-old Sue Barker being axed from A Question of Sport, it’s feared the same fate could befall the This Morning stand-ins.
An insider added: “It’ll look terrible if they give Ruth and Eamonn the boot. Many of our viewers are older or retired, and rely on them to provide some cheer of a morning.”
Viewers want them five days a week
Over the summer, with Phil and Holly on holiday, Eamonn and Ruth earned rave reviews from This Morning viewers.
As a result, some even called for the pair to front the show full-time.
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