⭐ Ben Shephard’s On-Air “Christmas Wish” Remark Fuels Speculation as Cat Deeley Suddenly Vanishes From This Morning — And Alison Hammond Steps In for an Unplanned Debut
The opening minutes of Tuesday’s This Morning were anything but ordinary — and viewers felt it instantly.
Cat Deeley was gone.
Alison Hammond was in.
And Ben Shephard? He came armed with a joke sharp enough to send social media into meltdown.
The 50-year-old presenter, who typically fronts the Monday–Thursday slots alongside Cat, found himself sitting next to Alison for the very first time — a pairing completely unannounced, unexplained, and instantly electrifying.
But it was Ben’s cheeky opening line that transformed an unexpected hosting shuffle into a national talking point.
🎄 “Christmas wishes do come true…” — The Comment That Lit Up Social Media
As the cameras went live, Alison looked visibly amused — and slightly baffled — by the sudden switch.
“I was literally asleep… and now I’m here,” she laughed.
“What is happening?”
Ben grinned before dropping the line viewers instantly interpreted as a sly jab:
“Christmas wishes do come true. Our first time together — and you never forget your first time, Alison.”
The studio laughed. Alison blushed.
Twitter/X detonated.
Within minutes, thousands of viewers speculated that the comment wasn’t just festive banter — but a thinly veiled swipe at Cat’s unexplained absence.
❓ Why Was Cat Deeley Missing? Silence Raises More Questions
ITV offered no on-air explanation for Cat’s sudden disappearance — a choice that only heightened curiosity.
Her absence comes just months after her shock split from husband Patrick Kielty.
The separation generated brutal online commentary, accusations, and family tension, with insiders revealing Cat felt “painted as the villain” despite both parties insisting no third person was involved.
A source said she had been battling anxiety ahead of her return to TV:
“She’s been hurt by how quickly strangers — and even people close to Patrick — were willing to judge her.”
Her absence now, in such a public slot, has reignited speculation about her emotional state and future on the show.
💬 Family Fallout: The Emotional Strain Behind the Scenes
Cat also faced backlash earlier this year for missing Patrick’s mother’s funeral — a decision her team said was made so she could care for their young children.
Despite the explanation, critics were harsh.
Another insider said:
“Cat is usually upbeat, but the negativity during the split has really shaken her.”
Her return to This Morning was meant to symbolize stability after a turbulent summer — but Tuesday’s disappearance suggests otherwise.
🎥 Meanwhile On Air… Alison & Ben Steal the Spotlight
Despite the tension swirling beneath the surface, the show powered on — and the Alison–Ben chemistry was undeniable.
Viewers praised their dynamic as:
✨ “Fresh”
✨ “Chaotic in the best way”
✨ “Funniest episode in months”
Many even questioned whether ITV was quietly testing a potential alternative partnership.
💔 A Heart-Wrenching Segment That Added to the Emotion of the Day
Amid the host drama, This Morning aired a powerful and emotional interview with Melissa Ashcroft — a young mother suffering from debilitating pain due to her size 36M breasts.
Melissa revealed she struggles to lift her baby, takes an hour to get out of bed, and suffers permanent spinal damage.
“I can’t live like this anymore,” she said, explaining her crowdfunding campaign for life-changing surgery.
Her story ignited a wave of public sympathy — and added a striking emotional contrast to an already turbulent broadcast.
📺 What Happens Next? Viewers Demand Answers
With Cat’s unexplained absence…
Ben’s eyebrow-raising “Christmas wish”…
And Alison being drafted in midweek — a rarity…
Fans are questioning whether this was:
✔ Just a one-off emergency swap?
✔ The beginning of a deeper shake-up at ITV?
✔ A sign of Cat stepping back amid personal turmoil?
ITV has so far remained silent — but viewers are anything but.
One thing is certain:
Tuesday’s episode will go down as one of the most talked-about This Morning broadcasts of the year.