The BBC reportedly wants to steal a This Morning star from ITV to host an entertainment show.
The broadcaster is said to be eyeing up Cat Deeley, who joined the daytime show as permanent host with Ben Shephard this month, for a Saturday primetime programme.
They believe the TV presenter, 47, could be an ‘absolute ratings win over’ having won over audiences in America as host of dancing competition series So You Think You Can Dance.
It would not be the first time the BBC had lured a This Morning presenter having poached Holly Willoughby for the now-axed series Freeze The Fear With Wim Hof.
A source told the Mail Online: ‘Cat has the queen of Saturday night television feel about her, and females are lacking in that area.
‘She is used to hosting a glitzy show in America and put with the right programme over here, she could be an absolute ratings winner.
‘There is no love lost between the BBC and ITV for the stealing of stars, so what a great move it would be.’
The BBC might not want to get ahead of itself, though, as Cat has been reportedly lined up for another huge ITV gig.
It has been claimed that Cat will step in for Ant McPartlin on Britain’s Got Talent if his pregnant wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, goes into labour around the live shows and he needs to take a sudden leave of absence.
Anne-Marie is currently expecting their first child and it is thought they will welcome the new baby in June.
Cat and Ben, 49, took over as hosts of This Morning weeks ago after both Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby stepped down last year.
However, some fans felt the duo’s debut episode was underwhelming because ITV had failed to overhaul the format.
One disappointed fan wrote on X: ‘#ThisMorning.. same old set, theme tune, graphics and segments. Even same opening titles – couldn’t even be bothered to add Ben and Cat in like the old previous hosts.’
Cat rose to fame hosting children’s morning entertainment show SMTV Live with Ant and Dec from 1998-2001.
Since then, she has gone on to present Stars In Their Eyes, Fame Academy and So You Think You Can Dance.
Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.
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