Viewers of This Morning were met with unexpected drama on Thursday (January 23) 

when hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley found themselves in a live on-air scramble due to a sudden schedule change. 

The usually smooth-running program was thrown into disarray when the popular Spin to Win competition was unexpectedly moved to an earlier slot, 

catching contestants completely off guard.

A Last-Minute Change Sparks Confusion

The beloved Spin to Win segment, which typically airs around midday, was abruptly shifted to a pre-11 a.m. timeslot following a decision by ITV bosses. 

The change, however, wasn’t communicated in time to the show’s hopeful contestants, leading to a flurry of unanswered calls and rising tension in the studio.

Ben and Cat, both relatively new to their This Morning roles, remained professional as they attempted to navigate the awkward situation. The premise of the game is simple—contestants must answer their phones within six rings and respond with a designated passphrase rather than the usual “Hello.” However, the unexpected timing meant that many of the pre-selected players were unprepared, leading to a series of missed opportunities.

Missed Calls and Rising Tension

As the game kicked off, the presenters placed their first call, only to be met with silence as the phone rang out. The second attempt resulted in the same outcome. By the time they reached the third number, Ben realized the issue and exclaimed, “It’s because we’ve changed the time, they aren’t expecting our call!”

Despite their best efforts, the fourth call brought further frustration. A contestant finally answered the phone but failed to say the passphrase, instead greeting the presenters with a simple “Hello.” Under the game’s strict rules, this meant they were instantly disqualified, adding to the presenters’ mounting concern.

With only a handful of contestants left to call, the atmosphere in the studio grew increasingly tense. Cat and Ben turned to the producers for guidance, asking, “How many have we got left?” Their concern was justified, as they were now down to just six potential contestants but had only two calls remaining to secure a winner.

A Game of Chance Slips Away

By the time they reached the fifth attempt, the tension was palpable. Once again, no one answered the call, leaving the pair with just one final shot at finding a participant. The studio fell silent as the last number was dialed, with both presenters hoping for a last-minute rescue to avoid the segment becoming an outright failure.

Unfortunately, their worst fears were realized when the final call also went unanswered, marking a rare and unprecedented moment on This Morning. Since stepping into their roles as the show’s new presenting duo following the departure of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, Ben and Cat had yet to encounter such a chaotic turn of events.

How the Presenters Handled the Awkward Moment

Despite the unexpected debacle, both Ben and Cat managed to keep the mood lighthearted. Rather than allowing the situation to derail the show, they laughed off the mishap, with Ben quipping, “Well, that’s a first! What do we do now?”

Producers quickly reassured the presenters that the segment would return in its usual slot the following day, hopefully with better luck. Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with reactions from viewers, with some finding humor in the on-air blunder and others sympathizing with the contestants who had unknowingly missed their chance to win prizes.

A Learning Curve for This Morning

While live television is always unpredictable, Thursday’s mix-up proved just how easily a minor schedule change can lead to major disruptions. The incident served as a reminder of the challenges faced by presenters working in a fast-paced, live environment where timing is everything.

Despite the setback, Ben and Cat handled the situation with professionalism and humor, proving that their chemistry as co-hosts is strong even in moments of chaos. While Spin to Win may not have gone as planned, their quick thinking and ability to adapt helped keep the show moving without too much embarrassment.

Fans will no doubt be tuning in again to see if the This Morning team has better luck with their next attempt at the game, and whether Ben and Cat can avoid another schedule-induced disaster. One thing’s for certain—live television never fails to keep audiences entertained, even when things don’t go to plan.

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