One PR expert warns ITV producers that they need to re-think the This Morning main presenters after Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard were issued a huge blow.

ITV urged to listen to the public after huge NTA snub, ignoring Alison is a bad move (Image: ITV)

Allison Hammond fans believe she is set to scoop a National Television Award for Best TV Presenter after wowing fans with her witty comments and close chemistry with Dermot O’Leary. However, the 49-year-olds growing popularity has put This Morning stars Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard under threat as viewing figures plummet.

While the show itself is up for an award in the Daytime category, Cat, 47, and Ben, 49, have been overlooked. This has come as a shock after ITV had high hopes for the duo.

Back in March, they were drafted in to save the show after it was spun into chaos due to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield quitting the programme. Since they left Alison who presents the Friday slot and in the school holidays, has become a firm favourite securing a nomination once again.

However, PR Expert, Rochelle White, told Express.co.uk that this is a huge warning sign, and they need to listen to viewers before they switch off. She claimed that this showed they are “not as popular as what the network might have hoped for.”

For Friday presenters to be “much more loved and the audience enjoys them more” is deeply concerning, she said. Before adding that they must act fast and make “improvements to the show”.

She claimed: “Ben and Cat have been relatively successful on This Morning, they don’t tend to have the love from the audience. I feel that it shows that they have quite resonated with viewers and are not as popular as what the network might of hoped for.

“I feel that they don’t have the same energy and spark that Alison and Dermot have and I feel that that lack of being up for Presenter of the year at the NTA’s is a reflection of that.”

She then added: “I don’t think it looks good from a PR perspective really. It shows that the Friday presenters are much more loved and the audience enjoy them more. But, also the teams should know that as it was expressed across socials that many viewers were not fans of Cat and Ben.”

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have won over ITV viewers with their chemistry (Image: ITV)

Rochelle drew upon both Alison and Dermot’s popularity across social media, where they are often showered with compliments.

She said that people have gone as far as saying they only watch the show when they are on.

“A quick look on even their socials, people would be excited for the Friday episodes with some even saying that that is the only time they tune in. I believe in using data and insights to help shape where is best to go, as they are the facts and not assumptions.

Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard miss out on an NTA this year for best presenter (Image: ITV)

“So, I think that ITV should review this and replace them, even if not with Alison and Dermot (although I think would be the best choice), but with presenters that the audience like to watch and resonate with.

“They should look at making improvements to the show and keep the audience that they have and show that they do listen and pay attention. If they choose not to, I think it would be a bad move,” she continued.

Last year, This Morning missed out on the Best Daytime TV award for the first time in 12 years. Meanwhile, Alison is up against the likes of Bradley Walsh, Stacey Solomon and Claudia Winkleman.

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Source: Tampa Bay Times