This Morning issue statement as Thursday's show is taken off air

No show will air on Thursday 20th July

Author: Alex RossPublished 19th Jul 2023

Whilst Holly Willoughby is off on her annual Summer break, Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond have been taking the reigns of popular daytime show This Morning, but fans will be gutted to hear that the episode on Thursday 20th July has been postponed.

At the end of the show on Wednesday 19th, hosts Dermot and Alison told viewers they would be back on air on Friday 21st, due to ITV showing the start of the FIFA Women's World Cup, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand.

Alison told viewers: "We're back with you on Friday because tomorrow's the women's football World Cup on ITV1. We'll see you then with a special performance from the cast of 42nd Street. John Torode's in the kitchen making a classic Aussie burger."

Dermot added: "And Britain's Got Talent winner Viggo Venn will be live in the studio. That's on Friday at 10am, see you then."

Although Good Morning Britain and Lorraine will still be on air, This Morning and Loose Women will have a day off, with ITV showing the match between Australia v Republic of Ireland.

Although the build-up to the women's tournament saw dispute over broadcasting rights, both the BBC and ITV struck a deal, meaning all 64 games in the historic tournament will be available in the UK. ITV and BBC will share the games over the course of the tournament, which runs between 20th July-20th August, meaning more of the usual TV schedules will be disrupted over the next four weeks.

The broadcasters confirmed their World Cup teams earlier this month, with ITV signing up names such as Laura Woods, and former players Eni Aluko, Karen Carney, Jill Scott, Emma Hayes, Fran Kirby, Lucy Ward, Siobhan Chamberlain, Emma Byrne, Vicky Losada and Jen Beattie.

Meanwhile, the BBC have names such as Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, Reshmin Chowdhury, and former Lionesses Ellen White, Steph Houghton and Fara Williams.

Unfortunately Scotland and Wales didn't qualify for the tournament, but UK viewers will be able to get behind both England and Republic of Ireland, as they look to get through the group stages and into the knockout rounds.

Now check out all of the possible hosts to replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning:

Alison Hammond

Alison Hammond is the Friday host alongside Dermot O'Leary, but she's currently one of the favourites to take the full time role.

Dermot O'Leary

He hosts the show on a Friday alongside Alison Hammond, but fans would love to see Dermot O'Leary in a more full time role.

Josie Gibson

As well as being a loved member of the This Morning team, Josie has been promoted to host in recent months during the holidays, alongside Irishman Craig Doyle. And now she's appearing in I'm A Celeb, will she host the show permanently in 2024?

Cat Deeley

After joining Rylan Clark in November 2023 to host the show, fans were calling for Cat Deeley to become a permanent presenter!

Craig Doyle

Craig joined the This Morning team in 2021, presenting competitions before being promoted to a stand-in host alongside Josie Gibson. In recent months, Craig has presented the main show alongside the likes of Alison Hammond, Mollie King, Rochelle Humes, and Holly Willoughby.


Since Phillip's departure, Craig has been presenting the show frequently alongside Holly.

Rylan Clark

Until recently, Rylan Clark was a regular face on This Morning, stepping in to host the show as well as being the showbiz reporter. Now there's a position going, will Rylan leave his radio show to return?

Stacey Solomon

Stacey Solomon is firm favourite at ITV, having been a popular panellist on Loose Women for a number of years. Following Phillip's departure earlier this year, many of Stacey's fans believed she'd hinted she could be about to replace him, after revealing she'd just had 'one of the most exciting meetings of my life.'

Marvin and Rochelle Humes

Rochelle is a current member of the This Morning team and has stepped in to host the show a number of times, and she's also number of other shows alongside her husband Marvin! The pair would be a great fit!

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford

Former Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and her husband Eamonn Holmes were replaced by bosses by Alison and Dermot, but could they be tempted to return to host the show?

Ben Shephard

Ben Shephard is a regular face on the ITV circuit - not only is he a regular presenter for Good Morning Britain, he also hosts daytime challenge show Tipping Point. He's an official stand-in on This Morning, having hosted alongside Holly in October, so could his role become more permanent?

Davina McCall

Davina is loved by TV fans across the UK, and she's been a regular guest on the show over the years, as well as occasionally stepping in to host.

Christine Lampard

Christine Lampard (née Bleakley) has been a stand-in for Holly Willoughby in the past, and she often presents Lorraine when Lorraine Kelly is off on holiday, meaning she's very well liked at ITV!

Gok Wan

Fashion guru and chef Gok Wan was a huge hit with viewers when he hosted the show alongside Rylan Clark back in 2018, and he's now a regular guest presenter on the show!

Vanessa Feltz

Vanessa Feltz has been a TV personality since 1992 - so she's VERY experienced. Having previously presented the show and often giving advice to callers, she wouldn't be a stranger to the show.

Abbey Clancy

Rumours are rife that TV presenter and model Abbey Clancy is the new favourite to replace Holly. The mum-of-four had a good relationship with ITV, having recently worked with them on Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes.

Hannah Waddingham

Actress and TV presenter Hannah Waddingham has also been thrown into the hat for the role. Known for roles on Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones and this year's Marks and Spencer Christmas advert, as well as presenting Eurovision 2023, Hannah would be a very popular choice.

Now read:

Holly Willoughby being 'lined-up' for hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing

I'm A Celeb 2023: All of the rumoured contestants

All of the potential replacements for Phillip Schofield on This Morning

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