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This Morning star slams Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard as a ‘safe choice’ and claims she wasn’t asked to present show
Cat revealed she could co-host This Morning with a familiar face
THIS Morning star Rustie Lee appeared to take a swipe at new hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard as a "safe choice".
The TV chef, who features on the ITV show for her cooking segments, also said that bosses never asked her to host the show - saying she would have liked to have been considered.
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Speaking on the Rustie said: "I liked how they were going with different presenters all the time. They've never invited me to be a presenter.
"I'm sure I could present extremely well on that show. It wouldn't be the first time I've done it. I've had radio shows in Birmingham. I was radio presenter on a show in Birmingham, West Midlands, BBC Radio.
"So, you know, they've never said, 'Oh, Rustie you should present'. I would love to present and show them that it's something I can do with people. You have to be good with people."
Rustie, 74, also admitted that she thinks Cat and Ben are a great duo but said she preferred when the show was hosted by a rotating mix of presenters.
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She continued : "I think that Cat and Ben are good. It's what people want. I liked the mix with people like Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson - people from different walks of life.
"I think they're going with a steady hand but I saw Cat Deeley work on the show and she did well. Ben Shephard is amazing too, he's a good family man.
"But I think how they were going since the Phillip Schofield situation [before that], was nice because it gives everyone a chance to do something.
"But good luck to them. I wish them the best. Of course I do."
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Rustie admitted that she would have "loved" to have presenter the show and added: "A lot of people in Britain know me. There's no reason why I shouldn't do it. Simple as that."
The famous cook has been a regular since 2012.
Cat Deeley drops huge hint husband Patrick Kielty could present This Morning alongside her
She has also participated on the Channel 5 reality-television show Celebrity Super Spa in 2013 and ITV's Who's Doing the Dishes?.
Last month The Sun revealed that Ben and Cat had been selected for the coveted role hosting This Morning after a string of rotating presenters.
Pay for the new duo is understood to be around £550,000 each — £150,000 less than Holly Willoughby and Phil Schofield.
Cat and husband Patrick Kielty recently moved back to the UK with their two sons after she spent more than a decade in the US hosting So You Think You Can Dance.
The host recently dopped a huge hint her Patrick could join her on the This Morning sofa.
During a recent US interview with husband and wife duo and Kelly Ripa, Cat said: "Everybody was saying 'is he going to do it with you?' I was like 'no thank you'."
But Kelly, 53, insisted: "You should try it!"
Cat asked: "Does it work?"
And Kelly replied: "It's surprisingly pleasant."
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Mark added that Cat should have Patrick on standby in case Ben, 49, is ever sick.
Cat didn't shut the idea down, and instead smiled and asked: "Do you think?"
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