Good Morning Britain bosses are said to have chosen their full time replacement for Piers Morgan and gone with the 'safest option.'
It's now been two weeks since Piers quit the ITV daytime show, hours after he stomped out of the studio during a spat with Alex Beresford about Meghan Markle.
Since then, the outspoken presenter has ruled out a return to GMB, after petitions were set up to bring him back, while stars like Jeremy Clarkson have been linked to his vacant seat.
Last week, bookies revealed their favourite to be Piers' permanent replacement was existing presenter Ben Shephard and it looks like they called it right as The Mail on Sunday reports that he's got the job.
A source told the publication “ITV and GMB bosses were totally unprepared for Piers going... Nobody had a back-up plan.
“Ben, who is adored by the staff and much of the audience, stepped in and the thought is now that he will work long term…”
The insider added tjhat Ben is seen as the “safest option” as he's the “consummate professional”.
Viewers have been divided on Ben's partnership with Susanna Reid in the wake of Piers' departure, with some branding him "too weak," while others have welcomed his 'less combative' interviewing style as the duo have been at the helm from Monday - Wednesday.
A number of other hosting combinations have fronted GMB since Piers quit, with viewers also torn on Friday's pairing of Charlotte Hawkins and Kate Garraway.
There were plenty of fans of their partnership, with one enthusing: "I love the combination of Kate and Charlotte this morning so relaxed and so much positivity!"
Another even tweeted GMB's director Erron Gordon to write: "Such a lovely sight to see Kate and Charlotte presenting @GMB. I hope @errongordon will see they make a great team and have them on together more."
But others weren't as convinced on Kate and Charlotte's double act, with one reacting: "Charlotte & Kate #gmb - spells desperation for a Piers replacement" and another commenting: "I’m not sure about Kate and Charlotte together on @GMB Kate has always been my favourite but she is talking over Charlotte a lot.
