This Morning Viewers Frustrated by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley’s Extended Intro: ‘Can We Just Get on with the Show?’
This Morning viewers were left unimpressed on Wednesday when hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley kicked off the programme with a light-hearted but lengthy segment in tribute to The Bill’s iconic 40-year run, via the Mirror. The duo donned police outfits in homage to the long-running show, with Cat attempting to maintain a serious expression throughout.
Ben playfully remarked, “You’re still in character, you’re doing a very good job!” as they reminisced about The Bill’s memorable guest stars, including sharing their own personal appearances on the show. However, as the tribute extended, some viewers grew frustrated.
Fans took to Twitter to voice their impatience. One viewer tweeted, “#ThisMorning Please stop with the dancing/acting intro. Your viewers are not 5 year olds.” Another added, “5 mins in and they’re still talking about themselves.” A third commented, “Oh my lord, can we just get on with the show?” while another sarcastically chimed in, “It’s all about me!” The Express reported.
Amidst the nostalgic chatter, Ben revealed his roles in various productions, including Friends, a Harry Potter movie, and The Lego Movie alongside Kate Garraway. Meanwhile, Cat recounted her experience as a voiceover artist for a character on The Simpsons, describing her time at Fox studios as “pretty amazing,” where she visited iconic spots like Marilyn Monroe’s old dressing rooms.
Cat also shared a fun tidbit about her appearance on The Simpsons, admitting that she kept the mobile phone prop used in the episode. She went on to reflect on her time working with Zendaya Coleman on Disney’s Shake It Up, fondly remembering the actress as “lovely then and she’s lovely now.” Cat revealed that she still exchanges texts with the superstar from time to time.
A surprising twist came when Ben Shephard revealed his brother’s unexpected TV cameo during Lorraine. While Andi Peters presented the ITV competition from Singapore, Ben’s brother Toby made a surprise appearance, casually seated next to Andi having breakfast. Ben shared, “My brother lives in Singapore, that’s my brother Toby who just randomly popped up.” He learned about his brother’s unexpected TV moment while heading to the studio: “I was coming into the studio so I missed this this morning. My brother had a cameo with Andi’s comp.”
Though the playful intro didn’t resonate with all viewers, Ben and Cat’s engaging banter highlighted their versatility and shared anecdotes from their multifaceted careers.