[darrenlit94]

If he hadn't signed a contract with RTE I wouldn't be opposed to a Cat Deeley/Patrick Kielty pairing.

The reality, I imagine, is they'll trundle along with mixed up pairs, based on a 'Core 4' of Josie, Craig, Dermot and Alison for the foreseeable, with Rochelle, Andi, and similar drafted in to plug gaps as required.

A longer option might be to draft in a possible long term replacement into the Core team and gradually move them into pole position then follow with a second one, gradually establishing a new 'lead' pair that works rather than appointing a new 'lead' pair from the outset in case it crashes and burns like last time.

(Names as examples)- Ben Shephard added to the Core pool now, then Christine Lampard after Christmas creating a Core 6, and come September Ben and Christine take the lead (maybe on a 3day/2 day split to ensure suitable prominence of the rest of the Core team so it's not too 'disjointed' when they're off).

I’ve always wondered why Christine has never presented This Morning in recent years. She was on quite often and was a replacement for Holly at one point I’m sure when she was on maternity leave. I know Phil seemed to like the inexperienced Rochelle covering for Holly but I’m surprised she hasn’t done a stint during the summer or something. Christine and Ben or Craig would be a great combination.