TO SAY ITV hasn’t quite cracked the weekend morning slot would be something of an understatement.
First Zoe Ball replaced Alex Jones as the face of the broadcaster’s weekend show in 2018. Then Sara Cox took over last year with her own music-led programme.
Now bosses are hoping they have found a solution in Kate Garraway and father-son duo Roman and Martin Kemp.
This means Sara’s 55-minute show, which aired at 8.30am on Saturday and Sunday, has been dropped after one series and four festive specials.
She got the role when Zoe announced she was leaving to host the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
A source said: “ITV is determined to nail down its weekend morning offering. Sara’s run has ended, so it has turned elsewhere to see if that’s where the answers lie.”
Sara said: “ITV passed me the morning TV baton for one series last year and it was brilliant to have live music, great guests and taking my dogs on set.
“Now it’s time to pass the baton on. If Kate and the Kemps have half as much fun as I did, they’ll be very happy.”
From spring, Kate will present Breakfast At Garraway’s on Saturday and I’m A Celeb pal Myles Stephenson will join her, after impressing producers with their chemistry in Oz.
And, as I revealed, Martin And Roman’s Sunday Best will air the next day, with music and celeb guests. I’d bet on campmates Jacqueline Jossa and Ian Wright getting a call for one of the early shows.
bizbit
JOANNA LUMLEY reveals a surprising enthusiasm in Hidden Caribbean: Havana To Haiti on ITV on March 10.
In a Cuban gym she is hypnotised by the men sparring and declares: “I just adore boxing.”
Alison’s big hope for date
ALISON HAMMOND says her sometimes car-crash interviews will stand her in good stead for appearing on Celebs Go Dating.
The This Morning reporter, whose chats with Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling and The Rock went viral for all the wrong reasons, said of her forthcoming stint on the E4 dating show: “Interviewing some of those big celebrities has actually helped with this.
“The issue was always going to be whether they were going to excite me enough and keep me on my toes.
“I mean, I’ve had time with The Rock and Hugh Jackman, so these guys have got big shoes to fill.
“You have to make my heart sing, you have to have a bit about yourself in order for me to stay interested. I tend to lose interest quickly.”
Asked what she was looking for in a man, she said: “A big . . . ! Only joking.” Alison will be on the show on Monday at 9pm
BBC3 comedy My Left Nut, starting on March 1, tells the true story of Michael Patrick, who refused to see a doctor about a swelling on his testicle until it was the size of a drinks can.
He said: “It’s all true but sped-up. I left it three years.”
Lo blow at Bowl
THE Super Bowl half-time show starring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira generated more than 1,300 complaints from US viewers.
The February 2 spectacular drew grumbles from virtually every state, with conservative Texas most outraged.
They griped that J-Lo and Shakira’s racy routine in Miami wasn’t suitable for a family audience.
One complainant to the Federal Communications Commission wrote: “Their overly sexy dancing, full crotch shots (and) spreading their legs was tasteless.”
Millions would disagree.
bizbit
SPEAKING about the coronavirus on This Morning, Phillip Schofield wondered if he should isolate himself after a family trip to Paris last week.
He added: “Do we shut down this place?”
Ear’s a bother for Bill
BILL TURNBULL made sure he left a lasting impression during his brief stint hosting Good Morning Britain.
There was chaos when he lost his earpiece during an ad break and co-host Susanna Reid and the TV crew all joined in the hunt for it.
The pair used to host BBC Breakfast together until Susanna defected to ITV in 2014. Bill left the show in 2016 and, two years later, he revealed he had prostate cancer.
GMB viewers were delighted he was called to stand-in for Reid’s usual sidekick Piers Morgan. Bill was great – and should share the presenting job again.
bizticker
- Towie’s James Lock admits to having work done to fix his teeth
- New ITV documentary The Station to air on March 12
‘Chell shocked at snub
SHE starred on EastEnders for a decade, but Michelle Collins has revealed she was snubbed from the show’s 35th anniversary bash.
The actress played Cindy Beale, the adulterous wife of Ian (Adam Woodyatt), on the BBC1 soap until 1998 when her character died in childbirth.
Speaking at the launch of The Prince Of Egypt musical on Wednesday, Michelle said: “I didn’t watch the 35th anniversary special last week and I wasn’t invited to the party.
“Maybe it’s because Cindy is dead. Apparently, I’m 17th in the most memorable characters.
“I saw Adam recently and I’ve got the cast’s numbers should any of them need me.”
It comes after she tweeted last year that it was “very frustrating” she is still labelled a “soap actress”, despite her role on the Beeb and ITV’s Coronation Street.
Must watch
WHAT? The Truth About, BBC1, 8pm.
WHY? If you ever wonder exactly what’s in your takeaway meal, then watch this documentary.
A team of scientists test fast food in a unique experiment – with shocking results.
