Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley have been confirmed as presenters of This Morning by ITV.

The duo take over in the wake of the exits of long-time sofa hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, who left last year.

Good Morning Britain star Shephard said: “This really feels like a very special moment for Cat and I to be part of the next chapter of This Morning.

“It’s an honour to be trusted with the reins, join Alison (Hammond) and Dermot (O’Leary) and all the team that work on and off screen and do such a great job.

“For the last 10 years I’ve been waking up with our ITV daytime audience on GMB and I now look forward to spending time with Cat, welcoming the viewers home after the school run or from their early morning routines, with a cup of tea and a mix of everything that makes This Morning so loved.”

The 49-year-old fronts the ITV quiz show Tipping Point, has hosted Ninja Warrior UK, and has joined Willoughby on the sofa to replace Schofield during previous absences.

Deeley, who rose to fame as a presenter of Saturday morning ITV children’s programme SM:TV Live, alongside Ant and Dec, and its spin-off music programme CD:UK with Willoughby, called This Morning a “national institution”.

She added: “Whenever it’s on, it’s like having your friends over – funny, smart, silly, heartfelt, informative and joyful – like all the greatest friendships.

“This Morning is and always will be the viewers’ show. Ben and I both know how much people love it, and with the help of an amazing team of people, we’re going to do our best to take care of it.”

The 47-year-old has previously hosted ITV’s Stars In Their Eyes and the BBC’s Fame Academy, and presented American competition show So You Think You Can Dance for more than a decade.

She and husband Patrick Kielty, who replaced Ryan Tubridy on the popular Irish chat show The Late Late Show, are now based in London after living in California.

Shephard and Deeley, who have both previously presented the show on separate occasions, will begin hosting This Morning next month to front the Monday to Thursday programmes.

Hammond and O’Leary will present on Fridays.

They were among the stars congratulating Shephard and Deeley on their permanent appointment as hosts.

Commenting on an This Morning Instagram video announcing the news, O’Leary wrote: “Huzzah! Welcome to the fam,” while Hammond wrote: “So excited about this.”

TV presenter and former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! contestant Josie Gibson, who often features on This Morning, wrote: “I feel a work welcome party coming on!!!!!”