Cat Deeley’s Swimsuit Stunt Sparks Backlash After ITV Disruption

ITV’s This Morning faced a momentary glitch on Tuesday (December 10), as viewers were greeted with an on-screen message apologizing for the disruption. The message read, “We’re sorry for any disruption,” prompting viewers to flock to social media to share their confusion, reported by the Manchester Evening News.

One viewer posted, “ITV has been disrupted #ThisMorning,” while another wrote, “ITV is off air.” Fortunately, the broadcast resumed shortly after, with hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley continuing the show as planned.

However, the temporary interruption wasn’t the only talking point of the day. Cat Deeley’s antics on the show stirred controversy among viewers after a playful yet polarizing segment.

The incident unfolded when Ben reminded Cat that she had forgotten a Christmas present from fellow presenter Josie Gibson at their holiday party. Displaying the unusual gift – a small swimsuit emblazoned with Ben’s face – Cat joked, “I was leaving that behind on purpose.” Teasing the audience, she added that she might try it on later, according to the Mirror.

True to her word, Cat returned after the commercial break wearing the swimsuit over her clothes, sparking mixed reactions from viewers.

While some fans found the segment lighthearted, others voiced their disapproval on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). One viewer criticized the moment, writing: “Surely, this is inappropriate and suggestive behaviour from Cat?”

Another was more direct: “#thismorning @thismorning I have just chucked my breakfast up looking at that awful bikini.”

The negative reactions didn’t stop there. A disgruntled viewer called for changes on the show, stating, “These two are just c** at this job. They have no personality and make me cringe when they try to be funny… get rid asap! #ThisMorning.”*

Another echoed the sentiment, adding: “Even when Cat tries to do a ‘funny bit,’ it comes off clunky, forced and cringe #ThisMorning.”

While This Morning remains a staple for daytime television, Cat Deeley’s comedic attempt seemed to miss the mark for some, reigniting conversations about the show’s presenters and direction. Despite the controversy, Cat and Ben continued the broadcast with their usual charm, unfazed by the mixed reviews online.

For now, both the brief technical glitch and Cat’s swimsuit antics remain hot topics among fans of the popular ITV program.