THIS Morning bosses had set their sights on another TV presenter to sign up alongside Cat Deeley – but he said no.

Cat, 47, and new co- host Ben Shephard, 49, will permanently replace Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on the ITV lunchtime show from next month.

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This Morning bosses is said to have wanted Patrick Kielty to co-host with wife Cat DeeleyCredit: Getty – Contributor

Cat is the new permanent face of the ITV showCredit: Rex
But it was reported that ITV wanted Cat’s TV presenter husband Patrick Kielty to be her co-host – to make them the “dream team“.

An insider told The Mail that they wanted a “Cat and Pat” brand to recreate the Richard and Judy days.

But added that it would be “impossible” to secure Patrick, 53, thanks to his substantial salary as the host of Ireland’s Late Late Show.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, who host the show on Fridays, confirmed The Sun’s exclusive story today as they announced the huge signing.

They gave the pair a warm welcome with a photo of Cat and Ben appearing on the screen and said they’ll step in to host on Mondays to Thursdays from March onwards.

Ben also featured in a teaser trailer which saw him hanging his portrait on the wall backstage at the ITV studios.

A source said “Lots of people were considered. Ultimately it’s about chemistry.”

Ben’s clean-cut image was seen as a huge factor in him getting the nod — while Cat proved ­popular during a recent presenting stint on the show’s sofa.

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Last night a source said: “This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right.

“Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.

“He’s an extremely safe pair of hands, has real gravitas, and doesn’t have a whiff of scandal around him — he’s purer than pure.

“Cat is the number one target to replace Holly, but negotiations are ongoing.

“Lots of people were considered, but ultimately it’s all about chemistry.

“Everyone is very excited, and the sense is that Ben and Cat will be a real boost to morale on the ground.”

The Sun revealed that the pay for the new duo is understood to be around £550,000 each — £150,000 less than Holly and Phil.

It comes after weeks of wrangling over contracts and speculation over Cat was being forced to quit her presenting role in the US.

She has hosted So You Think You Can Dance? since 2006.

In May Phillip, 61, was forced to quit after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague, following weeks of on-air tension with one-time best mate Holly, 42.

He later gave an interview to The Sun detailing his heartbreak about losing This Morning.

Five months later Holly — his Dancing On Ice co-star — also left after a plot to kidnap her came to light.

Show chiefs had to rotate its roster of hosts, who also include Craig Doyle and Rochelle Humes, whilst seeking a new Phil and Holly.

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Cat will be joined by Good Morning Britain’s Ben Shephard from next monthCredit: TM PRESS