[JMT1985]

The real life backdrop was a great USP for This Morning. It's a shame the plans for a new ITV studio on the Thames were scrapped, meaning TVC is the permanent home now. The fake backdrop is executed really well, but it can never be as good as the real thing. When you look at clips of the final few years on the South Bank (identical set but real view), the natural light just brings things to life in a way that can't be replicated.

Also, what happens if the river backdrop changes - new buildings, or I know this is bad thought, but if there was a terror incident or accident, and their backdrop just remains the same. 

I remember in 2001, Late Night with Conan O'Brien debuted a new set with a new New York City skyline including the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center - shortly afterwards 9/11 happened, and when the show returned from enforced one week hiatus, they had to place a curtain drape over the Twin Towers section of the new backdrop before altering the set permanently a few weeks later I believe. 

Probably there is no ability to have a live feed of the river view anymore which could be part of a new London backdrop?