By Alex
She was one of the most popular and successful TV presenters in Britain, before she moved to the US to host the hit show So You Think You Can Dance.
But for the past few years, Cat Deeley has been largely absent from our screens, as she focused on raising her two sons with husband Patrick Kielty.
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Now, in a sensational comeback, the 45-year-old star is set to return to ITV as the new host of Lorraine, the weekday morning show that attracts millions of viewers.
But how did ITV manage to persuade Cat to come back to the UK, after she turned down numerous offers in the past?
According to sources, it took a combination of factors, including a change of leadership at Fox, the US network that airs So You Think You Can Dance, and a fierce bidding war with rival channels.
One insider told me: "Cat was very happy in LA, and had no plans to leave. She loved working on So You Think You Can Dance, and had a great relationship with her boss, Rob Wade, who is also British.
"But last year, Rob stepped down as president of alternative entertainment and specials at Fox, amid allegations of sexual assault by several women. He denied the claims, but the scandal cast a shadow over the show, and Cat felt uncomfortable continuing to work there.
"She decided to quit, and told her agent to look for other opportunities in the UK. She was inundated with offers, from BBC, Channel 4, and ITV. They all wanted her to host their flagship shows, and were willing to pay big money for her.
"But ITV had an edge, because they had a slot that suited Cat perfectly: Lorraine. The current host, Lorraine Kelly, had announced her retirement after 35 years on TV, and ITV needed someone to fill her shoes.
"Cat was a fan of Lorraine, and felt that she could bring her own style and personality to the show, while respecting its legacy. She also liked the idea of working with her old friend, Ant McPartlin, who is the executive producer of Lorraine.
"ITV offered her a lucrative deal, worth £2 million a year, and promised her creative control and flexibility. They also agreed to let her commute between London and LA, where her family still lives.
"Cat was tempted, but she had one more obstacle to overcome: Sian Welby. The 34-year-old presenter, who currently hosts the weather on ITV, was also in the running for Lorraine, and had impressed the bosses with her screen tests.
"Sian had a lot of support from the younger viewers, and some of the executives thought she was a fresher and more modern choice than Cat. They argued that Cat was too old-fashioned and out of touch with the current audience.
"But Cat had a secret weapon: her loyal fan base. She had millions of followers on social media, who had been clamouring for her return to TV. They launched a campaign to get her on Lorraine, and flooded ITV with messages of support.
"Cat also had the backing of some of the biggest names in the industry, including Simon Cowell, Dermot O’Leary, and Holly Willoughby, who all vouched for her talent and charisma.
"In the end, ITV decided to go with Cat, and announced her as the new host of Lorraine last week. Sian was disappointed, but gracious, and congratulated Cat on her new role.
"Cat was overjoyed, and thanked her fans and friends for their support. She said she was thrilled to be back on TV, and looked forward to meeting the viewers of Lorraine.
"She also said she was excited to work with Ant, and joked that they would have a lot of fun together.
"Cat will start her new job in September, when Lorraine returns from its summer break. She will be on air from Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 10am, and will cover a range of topics, from entertainment and fashion, to health and politics.
"She will also interview celebrities, experts, and ordinary people, and share her own stories and opinions.
"Cat is confident that she can make Lorraine a success, and prove that she is still one of the best TV presenters in the country.
"She is ready to take on the challenge, and show the world what she can do.
“She is back, and she means business.”
