ITV bosses have reportedly been forced to delay the highly anticipated relaunch of This Morning after iconic presenter Cat Deeley is said to have turned down the job to replace Holly Willoughby
The TV star, 47, is said to have rejected ITV's big money deal to be the new female host of the show in place of a different job in America.
Insiders have told the Daily Mail that ITV are now "tearing their hair out" as they scramble to find a replacement.
It comes after ITV seemingly made their decision to have Ben Shephard and Cat as replacements for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
Holly left the show in October after 14 years as host. Her departure came on the heels of Phillip, who exited the show earlier this year after confessing to having an "unwise, but not illegal" relationship with a younger male colleague from the daytime show while still married.
Since then, a rotation of stars including Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson, Emma Willis, Christine Lampard, Rylan Clark and Dermot O'Leary, have fronted the show.
But it is now understood that ITV have been left "gutted" and bosses are "tearing their hair out" after Cat chose to return to America to host So You Think You Can Dance instead.
The former SM:TV host has presented the American entertainment show in the US since 2006.
A source told the publication: "There are a lot of people [at ITV] pulling their hair out right now. The relaunch date was supposed to be in January but that is no way going to happen now.
"Cat was the answer. She would have been an absolute triumph but they just couldn't make it work."
The source added that it is now a case of "back to the drawing board" for ITV as they scramble to figure out what to do next.
OK! has contacted Cat's representatives and ITV for comment.
The news comes just a day after it was seemingly confirmed that Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard were heading for substantial deals as the new hosts for ITV This Morning.
According to The Daily Mirror, both Ben, aged 49, and Cat, who have taken their turns at hosting This Morning, were chosen by the bosses, a decision that was likely to be a significant blow for Good Morning Britain due to Ben's regular job on the show.
It comes after last week, This Morning staff spoke out against the "unfair witch hunt" that has shaken the show after it was cleared of having a toxic culture. Sources said there was relief but not surprise at the findings in the external review by Jane Mulcahy KC.
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