Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd’s HUGE six figure pay cheques for This Morning revealed as ITV bosses blow the budget

CAT Deeley and Ben Shepherd's HUGE six figure pay cheque for this Morning has been revealed.

ITV bosses have blown the budget to secure the stars as the new anchors of the daytime telly show.

Last night The Sun revealed the long-awaited decision after former hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby stepped down from their roles earlier this year.

It is understood that Cat, 47, and Ben, 49, will be paid around £550,000 each to present This Morning - which is £150,000 less than Holly and Phil.

A source told us: “This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television.

"ITV execs are determined to get it right.

“Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.

“He’s an extremely safe pair of hands, has real gravitas, and doesn’t have a whiff of scandal around him — he’s purer than pure.

“Cat is the number one target to replace Holly, but negotiations are ongoing.

“Lots of people were considered, but ultimately it’s all about chemistry.

“Everyone is very excited, and the sense is that Ben and Cat will be a real boost to morale on the ground.”

Over the last few months, fans have been scratching their heads trying to figure out who will be the new faces of the show.

The show has also had numerous stars present including Mollie King and Emma Willis.

And although they look to have missed out on the anchor spots, it is thought Mollie and Emma will continue to be regular guest presenters after going down well with audiences.

ITV will hope confirmation of the new presenting line-up will start drawing a line under the biggest crisis to hit the long-running show.

Phillip was axed from ITV back in May after confessing to an "unwise but not illegal affair with a younger male colleague".

Five months later Holly stepped down from her role on the show.

They had presented the programme together since 2009.