It’s thought the star could be booted off the sofa as soon as Christmas if ratings don’t pick up
Back in August, ITV newbie Daybreak hit the headlines, after viewers abandoned the show in their thousands, unhappy with new presenters Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles. Now it’s thought Christine could be axed from her spot on the sofa, after the breakfast show’s figures continued to fall.
The stars both moved from the BBC for a rumoured £10 million joint pay deal, to a fanfare heralding a new dawn in breakfast TV.
But after an initial spike in viewers, it seems many are now switching off, or switching over, with Tuesday’s show raking in a sorry 700,000 viewers, compared to BBC Breakfast’s 1.4 million.
Now it’s thought to be make or break time for the controversial new show, with bosses waiting at the wings to step in if things don’t improve.
And it seems axing Christine could be part of the new plan, with producers reportedly considering her for Dermot O’Leary’s X Factor role, if Daybreak doesn’t work out.
In fact, Dermot has even joked about the rumour in the past, revealing: 'I won't be surprised if Christine Bleakley takes over my job - she'll be taking over my job, taking over your job, she will be taking over the whole world soon with the way she is going, just you wait and see.'
Former presenter Kate Garraway and spots front man Dan Lobb are just two of the names being bandied around as possible replacements, after viewers were reportedly impressed by their chemistry when they stood for the front pair.
Meanwhile, it’s said the star herself is ‘frustrated’ and ‘upset’ that she’s failing to draw viewers.
'Christine is extremely frustrated that Daybreak’s ratings aren’t improving,’ one insider told the Daily Mail.
But today, ITV has hit back at claims they are to replace the new star, branding the news 'completely untrue'.
'Daybreak has a first class presenting team and any suggestion that it will be changing is completely untrue,' a spokesman said in a statement.
'ITV has made a long term investment in new breakfast programming and, after over five years of decline for GMTV, Daybreak is already closing the gap in year on year decline after just one month, with housewives and children, male and younger audiences.
'We look forward to building on this start and welcoming new audiences to Daybreak and Lorraine.'
What are YOUR thoughts on Christine Bleakley’s Daybreak future? Should the star get the chop? Let us know in the comments box below.
