Good Morning Britain to replace Piers Morgan with 'safe option' Ben Shephard as show's ratings plummet

PIERS Morgan's seat on Good Morning Britain will be taken by Ben Shephard after ITV bosses went for the "safest option" according to reports today.

Producers have been left scrambling for a replacement on the show ever since the 55-year-old dramatically quit after a row about Meghan Markle.

🔵 Follow our Piers Morgan live blog for the latest on his GMB exit…

Ben has been chosen to take his place according to the Mail on Sunday saying he represents the "safest option".

A source told the paper: "ITV and GMB bosses were totally unprepared for Piers going.

"Ben, who is adored by the staff and much of the audience, stepped in and the thought is now that he will work long term.

"He certainly isn’t like-for-like for Piers, but then who is?"

It is thought that Ben will co-present Good Morning Britain with Susanna Reid from Monday to Wednesday, like Piers did.

Bosses would then assess how the partnership is going in September.

It had been expected that Lingo host Adil Ray, who has hosted Good Morning Britain in Piers' absence before, was poised to take the job.

However, bookies admitted last week that the running to bag the show's top job was extremely close.

A spokesperson for bookies Ladbrokes said: "Adil Ray is leading the way in the race to replace Piers on GMB, although no less than five names are priced at 4/1 or shorter as things stand."

On the day Piers stormed off air – on 9 March – Good Morning Britain overtook rivals BBC Breakfast for the first time.

However, since he quit the Beeb has seen its breakfast figures soar as ITV's rival show spirals into a ratings slump.

The show has now lost nearly 40 per cent of its audience since Piers walked out nine days ago.

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