Eamonn Holmes has marked the end of an era by confirming he is quitting This Morning to work for GB News.
The veteran presenter, 61, released a statement announcing his new job on Twitter, saying he was looking forward to 'giving a voice to the unheard.
"I've spent my career on broadcasting firsts and start-ups, and GB News is one of the most exciting yet.
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"It's just the kind of shake-up the industry needs," said Eamonn.
The news came after the Mirror exclusively revealed that the long-serving was exiting for pastures new in November.
Eamonn has been a familiar face on This Morning for 15-years, alongside wife Ruth Langsford.
Ruth, who is now the longest-serving presenter on the show, is also rumoured to be stepping down but thought to be continuing to take part in Loose Women.
The couple were ousted from the Friday presenting slot earlier this year, with Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond hired to replace Eamonn and Ruth, who have seen their appearances on the morning show reduced in recent years.
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As viewers mourn the loss of the iconic hosting duo, we take a look at who could replace the hugely popular husband-and-wife double act…
Dermot O’Leary
The former X Factor host has been a huge hit with viewers since he joined forces with Alison Hammond to take over the Friday presenting slot back in January.
ITV bosses hired the popular duo to cover for regular hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, who are contracted to have Fridays off.
Viewers were disappointed when Eamonn and Ruth were booted from their Friday hosting duties, but the couple were bumped up to cover the summer school holidays instead.
At the time, Dermot said he was “deeply thrilled” to be joining This Morning, and called co-host Alison “the living embodiment of sunshine on a rainy day.”
And This Morning bosses have been impressed with Dermot and Alison’s on-screen chemistry, and according to The Sun , they’re “next in line” to take over from Holly and Phil “when the time is right”.
Alison Hammond
The former Big Brother star made her debut on This Morning as a roving reporter back in 2003, and in almost two decades on the show, Alison has co-presented alongside Phillip Schofield and Rylan.
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The Brummie has had some iconic moments, including one memorable moment in 2018 when she accidentally pushed a male model off a floating map of the UK.
She also went viral thanks to her infamous interview with Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford in 2017, when the Hollywood stars dissolved into fits of giggles, and the trio ended up drinking.
ITV bosses are reportedly big fans of Alison’s warm and friendly nature, and she’s been a big hit with This Morning viewers.
Rylan
The 33-year-old is no stranger to presenting on This Morning, and has served as co-host alongside Phillip Schofield and Eamonn Holmes on numerous occasions.
He regularly appeared on the ITV show until 2017, when he quit his role after complaining he was working 16 hour days with “no sleep”.
Exhausted Rylan was also hosting Big Brother’s Bit on the Side at the time, and said the late nights and early mornings took a toll on his health.
However, he made history during his stint as presenter, as he and then-husband Dan Neal became the first gay married couple to host This Morning back in 2016, and were a huge hit with viewers.
His self-deprecating humour and quick wit won him a new fan following, and he was praised for his on-screen chemistry with Phillip and Ruth.
Rylan is currently serving as host on BBC Two’s Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, and hosts his Radio 2 show on Saturday afternoons, giving him plenty of time to fit in a Friday hosting gig on This Morning.
Rochelle Humes
Mum-of-three and former Saturdays singer Rochelle was a popular host over the summer last year, when she stepped in to take over presenting duties alongside Ore Oduba.
She’s appeared alongside Phillip when Holly has been off - including a long-term stint in 2018 - and in September, she was announced as part of the rotation of presenters.
Rochelle, who is married to JLS singer Marvin Humes, was a hit with viewers when paired with Eamonn Holmes, as well as Alison Hammond, who both stepped in when Vernon Kay contracted Covid-19 and was forced to bow out.
The former singer currently presents The Hit List with hubby Marvin on BBC One, and has her own podcast, My Little Coco, as well as a huge following on social media.
Vernon Kay
Vernon, 47, has been a hugely popular TV host since his days on Channel 4 presenting T4, and after his stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last year, he saw a resurgence in his popularity.
He’s previously fronted ITV shows such as Family Fortunes and Splash, and was due to make his debut hosting This Morning in August alongside Rochelle Humes, but had to stay at home after testing positive for Covid.
“I’m absolutely gutted that because of a positive Covid test I’m no longer able to present on This Morning next week with Rochelle nor do Radio 2 guest hosting and Steve Wright’s cover, two iconic shows which I’ve been a fan of for decades,” he shared in a statement.
Vernon, who is married to Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly, could be in line to replace Eamonn and finally make his This Morning hosting debut.
AJ Odudu
The TV presenter is currently enjoying competing on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, but she’s reportedly been eyed by ITV bosses, who have been “bowled over” by the 33-year-old in the past.
Earlier this month, it was revealed AJ was in line for more TV roles once her time on Strictly has come to an end, and is reportedly being considered as one of the favourites to take over from Laura Whitmore on ITV2’s Love Island.
However, ITV have denied they will be replacing Laura as host for next summer’s series, so AJ could see herself in the running for another hosting gig on This Morning, especially if she gets to the Strictly final.
“She is the girl of the moment and has lots of offers coming her way,” source told Heat magazine.
Amanda Holden
Another contender is all-round entertainer Amanda, 50, who could make her return to This Morning after a bitter spat with host Phillip Schofield.
Back in 2015, the mother-of-two nabbed the coveted gig when Holly went on maternity leave, and Amanda presented the show alongside Phillip.
Their feud began just three years later when Holly was hosting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! In 2018, and Amanda was in the running to co-host with Phillip once again.
However, the gig went to Rochelle Humes, leaving Amanda fuming, and it was alleged Phillip had heavily influenced the decision to pick the former Saturdays singer.
In 2019, Amanda said she had “moved on” from their falling out, and could be in line to make a long-awaited return to ITV screens.
