Vernon Kay is to join This Morning as a guest presenter on ITV's flagship daytime show.
The Bolton-born presenter will make his show debut this month as he co-hosts a string of shows alongside regular guest presenter Rochelle Humes.
The 47-year-old star is being drafted in from August 31 as a guest presenter on ITV’s flagship daytime show while main presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield enjoy a summer break.
Sources told The Sun on Sunday that Vernon's gig is part of a drive to try out new talent on the sofa.
“To be asked to guest host on a show I’ve watched since its inception is a huge tick for me," the source told the publication.
The announcement will put an end to speculation over the set up of presenting stars just as main host Phillip Schofield has been shunned by an awards show for his work.
Co-stars Holly, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary all received nominations for National Television Awards for the ITV daytime show.
Vernon cut his teeth in the presenting world on Channel 4’s teen-centric show T4 back at the beginning of the century, having previously co-hosted shows on Channel 5 and on the BBC.
While his presenting slots have been low key since 2016, the star seems to be gearing up for a new slot in the spotlight on This Morning after a stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020.
Earlier this year, This Morning saw rating hit a high of 19 years – with the new record being set since the series began way back in 1988.
The new statistics were revealed as it was reported Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond were being upgraded to regular presenters on Fridays editions of the show – replacing previous end-of-week hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes.
The National Television Awards are due to return to ITV next month – and the ceremony will see 40-year-old Holly and 46-year-old Alison battling it out to be crowned best presenter.
The list of nominees for the prestigious award – which is voted for by the public – has traditionally included 59-year-old Phil in the line-up, but he has been shunned for the 2021 ceremony.
Meanwhile, Holly and Alison have been lifting each other up regarding their exciting nomination news.
Taking to Instagram last week, Alison shared a snap of herself beaming alongside Holly in a sun-kissed photo shared on Instagram Stories – adding the caption: “can’t think of anyone I’d rather lose to that you @hollywilloughby.”
While Holly returned the sentiment by re-gramming Alison’s note – and adding the caption “same” to the post.
And This Morning’s crown maker, Editor Martin Frizell, heaped praise on the women in an Instagram post of his own, writing: “It’s like choosing your favourite child !!!
“Both brilliant broadcasters are on the short list today for NTA Presenter of the Year and This Morning is nominated again in Daytime.
“The National TV Awards are the biggest accolades of the year, voted for by viewers not judges and so mean the most to us.”
