By Kirsty Mccormack


..He may not be playing alongside his beloved team, but that shouldn't stop Frank Lampard from feeling happy for them.

The British footballer looked miserable as he holidayed on the Italian Riviera earlier this week despite England's recent success in the Euro 2012 tournament.

Despite being joined by his fiancée Christine Bleakley, Frank just couldn't bring himself to raise a smile as they dined out and was no doubt missing his fellow sportsmen.

Why the long face? Frank Lampard looks miserable as he holidays with his fiancée Christine Bleakley in the Italian Riviera

However, Frank's moody appearance may have been down to the fact that he and Christine were due to fly home.

The Chelsea player is in fact celebrating his 34th birthday today, and Christine confirmed that he was in good spirits.

'Morning all, got a happy birthday boy... England won, the sun is shining and we're at Ascot. Thank you for your lovely tweets xx' she wrote this morning.

Missing the boys? The footballer was no doubt feeling upset about the fact that he couldn't celebrate England's success with his team mates

But Frank was far from happy when they enjoyed their last Italian meal a few days ago.

Wearing a white T-shirt and grey trousers, the father-of-two wasn't even facing his fiancée at times as he enjoyed a glass of wine.

After missing out on a place in England's Euro 2012 squad, Frank is no doubt free to break his strict diet and exercise regime and was probably indulging in Italy's finest foods including pizza and pasta.


Tucking in: Frank is no doubt making the most of being able to eat what he wants while he's not on the football pitch


Christine certainly made the right move by whisking her beau off to Italy, and earlier on in their holiday they were spotted looking very loved-up as they kissed and cuddled in a swimming pool.

Despite looking smitten, the couple have endured endless speculation over the date and location of their big day since TV presenter Christine announced her engagement to the Chelsea player a year ago.

Christine, 33, even had to deny a persistent rumour that they had offered to pay several couples to rearrange their weddings so she and Frank could secure a date and venue this summer.

A spokesman for Frank told the The Sunday Mail's Katie Nicholl: ‘There never were any plans for a wedding this year, nor have we made any plans for next year.’

Christine is telling friends that moving into their newly refurbished home is her and Frank’s priority. ‘Their focus is moving into the house in August,’ says a source close to the couple.

'Frank will be flying to America to play with Chelsea soon, so the plan now is to get married when there’s more time.’ Friends say that the couple are blissfully happy together.



source:dailymail

By Kimberley Dadds


Follow me, Frank! Christine Bleakley guides her fiancé Frank Lampard out of Aura club at 3.30am this morning

After partying Saturday night away in Munich following Chelsea's Champions Leagues win, you'd think Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley would want to have a night in.

But after a victory parade through the streets of West London on Sunday afternoon, the couple headed out for yet another night on the tiles

Following the open bus parade for the Chelsea team and their families, the midfielder and his TV presenter fiancée headed down to Aura in Mayfair to party until the early hours.

Proud: Christine looks relatively sober compared to her squiffy fiancé

Understandably, Lampard looked slightly worse for wear as they ventured out of the club at 3.30am this morning.

While the Northern Irish TV star looked together in a pair of skinny jeans and jacket, her footballer partner was going for a more casual look in faded grey jeans, trainers and a purple T-shirt.

Also at the club were his teammates Didier Drogba, Raul Meireles, José Bosingwa, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou.


Time for bed: Lampard looked ready for a sleep after two nights partying in a row

What's so funny? Bleakley looked like she was about to burst into laughter

On Saturday, Bleakley was seen cheering, waving a flag and even praying as she joined the other revellers to watch his team Chelsea play in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Christine, 33, got fully into the spirit of things as she cheered her man's team on while waving a large Chelsea flag in the air.

She had flown into Germany to support Frank at Bayern's home Allianz Arena Stadium.


Busy weekend! Lampard had spent two nights partying in a row


The WAGS bus: Bleakley joined Chelsea's wives, girlfriends and families on a bus during the victory parade on Sunday afternoon


Congratulations! The Dancing On Ice host lavished Frank with kisses as they partied after the win

Supportive fiancee: Christine Bleakley cheered on Frank Lampard as he helped bring his team Chelsea to victory during the Champions League final last night

And she dressed for the occasion in some white jeans and a beige top, while she kept warm with a large beige shawl over her shoulders.

Bleakley spent a large portion of her time in the stadium waving her flag in the air as she stood next to other Chelsea supporters in football shirts.

And she lived through the tense match as she watched the dramatic penalty shoot out.


Team Chelsea: The TV presenter kept her fans updated on Twitter as she watched Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in a tense penalty shoot out

Getting in the spirit: Christine flew into Germany especially to watch the football match

The Dancing On Ice host even closed her eyes and put her hands in a praying symbol as she watched the victorious win unfold.

She was obviously delighted as Lampard managed to bring home the trophy.

And she took to her Twitter page to update her fans as the day and night unfolded.


Tense: Bleakley lived through the highs and lows of the match as she watched her man and his team mates on the pitch

Celebrations: Frank Lampard with the trophy after he helped bring Chelsea to victory

Christine first posted a photo up of herself taking her place in the stadium, before she expressed her pride at her fiance's win.

She wrote: 'Thank you so much for your tweets. Incredibly proud of my fiancé and Chelsea tonight. We're partying now people xxxx.'

And true to her word, she showed a photo of herself partying with Lampard as she kissed him on the cheek, and he in turn kissed his winner's medal.


Heading home: Christine wrapped up her trip as she joked around with an air stewardess upon landing at London's Heathrow



source:dailymail

By Kimberley Dadds



Congratulations! The Dancing On Ice host lavished Frank with kisses as they partied after the win

He may have helped bring his team to victory last night.

But Frank Lampard's fiancee Christine Bleakley deserves a medal of her own for being such a supportive partner.

The TV presenter was seen cheering, waving a flag and even praying as she joined the other revellers to watch his team Chelsea play in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

Supportive fiancee: Christine Bleakley cheered on Frank Lampard as he helped bring his team Chelsea to victory during the Champions League final last night

Christine, 33, got fully into the spirit of things as she cheered her man's team on while waving a large Chelsea flag in the air.

She had flown into Germany to support Frank at Bayern's home Allianz Arena Stadium.

And she dressed for the occasion in some white jeans and a beige top, while she kept warm with a large beige shawl over her shoulders.


Team Chelsea: The TV presenter kept her fans updated on Twitter as she watched Chelsea beat Bayern Munich in a tense penalty shoot out

Getting in the spirit: Christine flew into Germany especially to watch the football match

Bleakley spent a large portion of her time in the stadium waving her flag in the air as she stood next to other Chelsea supporters in football shirts.

And she lived through the tense match as she watched the dramatic penalty shoot out.

The Dancing On Ice host even closed her eyes and put her hands in a praying symbol as she watched the victorious win unfold.

She was obviously delighted as Lampard managed to bring home the trophy.

And she took to her Twitter page to update her fans as the day and night unfolded.

Christine first posted a photo up of herself taking her place in the stadium, before she expressed her pride at her fiance's win.

Tense: Bleakley lived through the highs and lows of the match as she watched her man and his team mates on the pitch

She wrote: 'Thank you so much for your tweets. Incredibly proud of my fiancé and Chelsea tonight. We're partying now people xxxx.'

And true to her word, she showed a photo of herself partying with Lampard as she kissed him on the cheek, and he in turn kissed his winner's medal.


Celebrations: Frank Lampard with the trophy after he helped bring Chelsea to victory



source:dailymail

By Sarah Bull


It's the biggest day in a girl's life, so it's important to look your best.

So last night when Christine Bleakley donned a white dress and had her hair teased into a chic chignon for Dancing On Ice, it stands to reason that she was thinking about her upcoming wedding to Frank Lampard.

The 33-year-old presenter wrote on her Twitter page that one member of her family believes she has found the perfect look for her big day.

'That's my hair and make-up sorted!' Christine Bleakley says she has found the perfect look for her wedding day to Frank Lampard


Christine tweeted: 'My niece Mia said tonight is how she wants me to look on my wedding day. So that's the hair and dress sorted then ...'

Christine teamed her beehive chignon style with subtle, smoky eye make-up and nude lips as she joined Phillip Schofield to present the semi-final of the show last night.

And Christine was also wearing a white dress for the night's show, which featured a thin black belt around the waist.

Talking of her outfit, Christine wrote on her Twitter page: 'Thanks for your lovely comments about the dress. It's an Emilia Wickstead creation.'

The presenter and her footballer beau first met at the Pride of Britain awards back in 2009.

And Frank popped the question to his girlfriend when the pair went on holiday to Las Vegas in June last year.

Christine told the Telegraph today that the break was one of the best holidays of her life.

Wedding plans: Christine and Frank are believed to be planning to wed next year

She said: 'Last summer when Frank [Lampard] and I went to Vegas for a couple of days, we drove down to Los Angeles but, unbeknown to me, this was our "engagement" holiday so Frank had obviously put a great deal of thought and effort into everything, whereas I was there for a jolly.

'One day, we drove along Ocean Drive to Malibu and it was just so beautiful - the day he popped the question on the beach - and that whole day in LA will always hold a special place in my heart because it was so unexpected.'




source:dailymail

By Alanah Eriksen


Bitter row: Elen Rivas' children apparently call her ex Frank Lampard's fiancee Christine Bleakley, 'Mum'


Over the weekend, they became embroiled in a Twitter row when Elen Rivas accused her ex Frank Lampard and his fiancée Christine Bleakley of 'trying to stop his children from speaking to their mother over Christmas'.

But it has today been claimed that Spanish Rivas had tried to call her daughters at 3am over the Christmas weekend when they were asleep.

It has also been claimed that the girls, Luna, six, and Isla, four, may have started calling their almost-stepmother Bleakley 'mum', which, if true, is sure to upset Miss Rivas.


It has been more than three years since she and footballer Lampard called off their engagement.

Rivas, 36, hit out at both the Chelsea footballer, 33, and Dancing On Ice presenter Bleakley, 32, on her Twitter page on Christmas Eve.

She is currently in India on a 'spiritual' journey, meaning she is spending her first Christmas without her daughters.

The former WAG claimed she attempted to speak to her girls on the phone to wish them a 'happy Christmas', but Lampard wouldn't allow her.

Clearly upset, she then blasted the England footballer on Twitter, then brought his fiancée into the argument.

Happy together: Bleakley became engaged to the Chelsea footballer in June this year


She wrote on Christmas Eve: 'You would have thought the girlfriend would have a little maternal understanding...'

Despite claiming she didn't want to get involved, Bleakley retweeted other comments from followers suggesting 'a dignified silence' was the best way to deal with the situation.

Last night a source close to the couple claimed in the Daily Mirror: 'Elen announced she was off on holiday for three weeks over Christmas and New Year and wouldn’t be taking her mobile.

Tricky: The TV presenter retweeted a comment about mothers leaving their children at Christmas


'Frank and Christine were delighted to have the children for the whole festive period and have been having an absolute ball.

'Christine’s been spending an increasing amount of time with the kids. They adore her – and vice versa. They’ve taken to calling her ‘Mum’, which is incredible – she’s so touched.

'When Christine read Elen’s Twitter comments she was understandably incensed and incredibly frustrated.

'She spent Boxing Day with her sister Nicola and the kids, taking them for a country walk after Christine’s mum cooked lunch for both the couple’s families at their London home.'

Christine and Frank had been to Winter Wonderland with the children and are going away on a 'family minibreak' in the new year, the paper reported.

A source close to Elen says she is 'happy for Frank to have the kids this Christmas as she had them last year. She just wanted to make sure she could speak to them on Christmas Day'.

Elen and Frank have shared custody of their two daughters since splitting in November 2008 after seven years together.

Once upon a time: Lampard was engaged to Rivas for seven years and they have two daughters together Luna and Isla


Bleakley, who will host Dancing on Ice next month, dated her footballer partner for ten months before meeting his girls because she didn't want to be 'someone who came and went in their lives.'

When Lampard was criticised in the media for remaining in his £8.5million home while Rivas was living in a flat, he phoned up London radio station LBC to defend his corner.

He told host James O'Brien in April 2009: 'Unfortunately I’ve split up with my girlfriend so they’re now living in a temporary flat in Fulham/Chelsea, and it’s not a bad flat at all and I’m actually buying them a house at the moment which is of equal living standard if not more to mine.'

Family: Rivas in Barcelona earlier this year with her daughters Luna and Isla
He also pointed out that Rivas called off their engagement - not him.


He said: 'I hope one day that your wife or your girlfriend doesn’t come to you and say I don’t want to be with you any more and unfortunately that means you won't see the kids for a few days a week.

'That will hurt with you as well but you’d have to deal with it... it’s breaking my heart, do you think I’m happy?'

A short time later, Lampard ended up buying Rivas a £2.8million Chelsea townhouse for her to live in with their daughters.



source:dailymail

By Georgina Littlejohn


Banish those Christmas
calories! Christine Bleakley gets physical in her new workout DVD released today


As soon as the New Year has been welcomed in, the dieting, exercising and detoxing will start in an attempt to get rid of the over-indulgences of Christmas.

So step in Christine Bleakley, who today released her first ever workout DVD to help banish the Yuletide calories and help people get fit for 2012.

The TV presenter is something of a fitness fanatic and was only too happy to share her workout tips with her fans.

Scroll down to watch the trailer for the DVD...

In the DVD, 'Christine Bleakley - The Workout', Christine shows off her lithe and toned physique as she works out to a number of exercise techniques.

She is joined on the DVD by her younger sister Nicola, who inspired Christine to do the DVD after she lost an incredible seven stone.

Sibling love: Christine opens the DVD talking to her sister Nicola, who inspired her to make it after she lost an incredible seven stone in a year


At the beginning of the DVD, Nicola is seen chatting to her sister and explaining why she got involved in the DVD.

She said: ''I lost seven stone in just over a year and have maintained it now for just over 12 years, so I'm extremely passionate about health and fitness.'

What's coming up: Christine explains to viewers what they can expect from her DVD


And the siblings team up with personal trainer Maria Fenn who created a range of routines for the DVD and designed especially for women.

Christine introduced the DVD to viewers and explains that it is a 'brand new techniques for toning up, slimming down and getting fit with fantastic routines that you'll really enjoy and music that is great to work out to.'


Stretch it, ladies! Christine and her sister (left) are joined by fitness instructor Maria Fenn as they go through a number of different techniques

Quick change: Christine and her sister put on yellow tops for another workout


The DVD is divided into two sections, with the first focusing on legs, arms, bottoms and core muscles, while the second half picks up the pace with more hardcore routines.

Section one includes Arm Sculptor, Core Cruncher and Legs & Bum Transformer. Section two features more hardcore routines such as advanced training session, the Bleakley Blaster and the Kick Butt Interval Training workout, one of the most effective fat burning training methods.


Toned: Christine shows off her slender arms which she achieved through vigorous workouts

Reach for the stars: Christine throws her arm skywards during a stretching exercise


Today, Bleakley, who begins presenting Dancing on Ice next month after being dropped by early morning breakfast show Daybreak, tweeted a link to the DVD as it hit online and high street stores, and wrote: 'Too much turkey and want a new you for new year? Check out out DVD. My sister's story will inspire you.'

But according to reports last year, the DVD very nearly didn't happen when Christine pulled out of making it.

The Sun reported that due to Daybreak's falling ratings, Christine decided not to make the DVD for last Christmas's market.


For bums and tums: Christine and the girls show off some crunches

Working up a sweat: Christine looked puffed out at one point as she was put through her paces


But her spokesman said: 'The project was very complicated, involving several key people. It has simply been scheduled for April when they are all available.'

Christine spent this Christmas with her footballer fiancé Frank Lampard and his two daughters from his relationship with Elen Rivas.


You too can look like this: Christine graces the cover of her workout DVD and poses with her sister and Maria on the back


But today, Rivas took to her Twitter page to hit out at both the Chelsea star and Bleakley as she accused him of 'trying to stop his children from speaking to their mother over Christmas'.

Christine then wrote: 'I'd happily put the record straight but really don't think twitter is a place to do it when children are involved x.'




source:dailymail

By Kirsty Mccormack and Emily Sheridan


Bitter row: Elen Rivas took to her Twitter page to blast her ex Frank Lampard and his fiancée Christine Bleakley after they reportedly stopped her from talking to her children


It's been over three years since Frank Lampard and Elen Rivas called off their engagement.

But it appears relations aren't so smooth between the Spanish model, her ex and his fiancée Christine Bleakley.

Rivas hit out at both the Chelsea footballer and Dancing On Ice presenter on her Twitter page, accusing him of 'trying to stop his children from speaking to their mother over Christmas'.


Currently in India on a 'spiritual' journey, it meant Rivas was spending her first Christmas without her daughters Luna, six, and Isla, four.

The former WAG claimed she attempted to speak to her girls on the phone to wish them a 'happy Christmas', but Lampard wouldn't allow her.

Clearly upset, she then blasted the England footballer on Twitter, then brought his fiancée into the argument.

She wrote on Christmas Eve: ''You would have thought the girlfriend would have a little maternal understanding...'

Bleakley was clearly alerted to Rivas' claims and re-tweeted a comment from a friend Jill Morgan which said: 'Looks like someone is up to their old tricks again, telling lies!! Have an amazing Xmas @clbleakley with frank & the girls! C u nxt wk xxxx.'

Lots of support: Bleakley re-tweeted several messages from her followers on the social networking site

The former Daybreak host then explained: 'Thanks J. I'd happily put the record straight but really don't think twitter is a place to do it when children are involved x.'

Despite claiming she didn't want to get involved, Bleakley retweeted other comments from followers suggesting 'a dignified silence' was the best way to deal with the situation.

When another follower accused Rivas of having 'no class and sour grapes', Bleakley replied: 'Your words are much appreciated.'

She then retweeted another comment from Deirdre Hogan, reading: 'What mother would leave her kids at Christmas in the first instance. They lucky to have Christine.'

According to her Twitter page, Rivas is in New Delhi, India for Christmas after leaving the UK on December 16.

They have shared custody of their two daughters since splitting in November 2008 after seven years together.

Happy together: Bleakley became engaged to the Chelsea footballer in June this year


Bleakley, who will host Dancing on Ice next month, dated her footballer partner for ten months before meeting his girls because she didn't want to be 'someone who came and went in their lives.'

Last week, the brunette told The Mirror that she was looking forward spending the festive day with Lampard.

'Frank’s around for a little bit of Christmas Day,' she said.

'It’s annoying, not that I’m complaining, obviously. It’s just one of those things. You get used to it.'

The Chelsea star will be heading to a hotel with his team-mates today ahead of their match against Fulham.

Lampard and Rives' difficult relationship was previously brought into the public eye just six months after their split.

After she decided to end the engagement, Rives temporarily moved into a small flat.

When Lampard was criticised in the media for remaining in his £8.5million home while Rivas was living in a flat, he phoned up London radio station LBC to defend his corner.

Once upon a time: Lampard was engaged to Rivas for seven years and they have two daughters together Luna and Isla


He told host James O'Brien in April 2009: 'Unfortunately I’ve split up with my girlfriend so they’re now living in a temporary flat in Fulham/Chelsea, and it’s not a bad flat at all and I’m actually buying them a house at the moment which is of equal living standard if not more to mine.'

He also pointed out that Rivas called off their engagement - not him.

He said: 'I hope one day that your wife or your girlfriend doesn’t come to you and say I don’t want to be with you any more and unfortunately that means you won't see the kids for a few days a week.

'That will hurt with you as well but you’d have to deal with it... it’s breaking my heart, do you think I’m happy?'

A short time later, Lampard ended up buying Rivas a £2.8million Chelsea townhouse for her to live in with their daughters.

After getting engaged to him in June this year, Bleakley has made no secret of the fact that she would like children of her own one day.

'For me, having children is the biggest and most ­important thing I’m ever going to do in my life,' she said.

'It’s not about my career, it’s not about your job or anything else, it’s about that.'

Bleakley will join Phillip Schofield on January 8 to co-host the new series of Dancing On Ice which will see Sugababes singer Heidi Range, actress Sadie Frost and Coronation Street actor Andy Whyment battle it out in their skates.


Family: Rivas in Barcelona earlier this year with her daughters Luna and Isla



source:dailymail

By Alison Boshoff


The show is barely a year old, but already viewers are wondering: has there ever been one as disaster-prone as Daybreak?

Rising from the ashes of GMTV, it has followed a simple rule: everything which can go wrong will.

Now, with the ‘double beheading’ of its presenters, Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley, who have been sacked after ratings plummeted to just half those of rival show BBC Breakfast, there can be no doubt how far the programme has sunk.

Axed: Adrian Chiles (left) and Christine Bleakley will be replaced as hosts of the ITV daytime show


‘I don’t think there’s another show on ITV doing so badly,’ said a senior executive yesterday.

The show made its debut last September and was immediately blighted by problems with the set, which used the London skyline as a background.

Lighting the city’s panorama proved a nightmare and ITV had to pay to floodlight St Paul’s Cathedral from 6am, so they weren’t broadcasting a view of inky blackness to the nation.

Shortly after the show went live, the green room was infested with fleas and had to be fumigated — twice — after pets appeared on the programme.

Although big-name guests such as David Cameron and Tony Blair initially graced the sofa, they were soon replaced by C-listers, and the mood in the studio became increasingly tense.

One member of the team said yesterday: ‘The atmosphere is just vile. A lot of us were here in the GMTV days, and it’s far worse than that.’

Dismissed: Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley are set to leave Daybreak within weeks


No one has seemed more unhappy than the presenters themselves. The much-hyped chemistry between Adrian Chiles and his sidekick Christine Bleakley — formerly a successful duo on BBC1’s The One Show — failed to materialise, with viewers deserting the programme in droves.

Ratings fell from the 900,000 that GMTV had attracted to a low last January of just 300,000. Over on the BBC, the newsier Breakfast show manages 1.5 million viewers daily.

Though axed for being unpopular, at its height GMTV regularly attracted two million viewers with its formula of news, human interest stories, cookery and health features and competitions.

Daybreak’s failings are highlighted by the fact that hordes of viewers switch to ITV when Chiles and Bleakley go off air at 8.30am, tuning into veteran presenter Lorraine Kelly’s show — which sometimes boasts double Daybreak’s ratings.

Relations between Bleakley and Chiles are said to have soured, with some blaming their fractious real-life relationship for their lack of charisma on the show.

On the rise: The Lorraine Kelly show has often eclipsed Daybreak's rating


One source says: ‘The chemistry between Adrian and Christine isn’t there on screen because it isn’t there off-screen either. At the moment they are barely talking to each other, and he is just permanently in a sulk.

‘It’s not been great between them since the beginning, which we thought was nerves, but as time has gone on their dynamic has really changed.’

The gloss began to come off the partnership even before their much-publicised transfer to ITV, and under the stress of presenting an over-hyped and under-performing show, it has declined rapidly.

There was a time when Chiles — who separated from his wife, radio presenter Jane Garvey, in 2009 — doted on Christine, giving her lifts and sharing after-work curries with her.

Rumours of an affair were rife, although the pair maintained they were just friends.

Then, as Christine’s romance with Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard developed, the TV pair’s friendship began to cool.

Yet when Chiles, 44, left the BBC after a debate over his hours for a thumping £5 million four-year deal with ITV, Christine was persuaded to follow him on her own £4 million, three-year deal.

But it was obvious from the start Chiles was not cut out for the bright-and-breezy world of breakfast TV.

‘I don’t think there’s a more gruelling show than a breakfast show,’ he complained. ‘It’s psychologically tough. You wake up at 3.45am, and that’s the best you feel all day.’

Better days: Chiles and Bleakley made the switch to ITV following a successful stint on the BBC's One Show


Christine, meanwhile, didn’t seem to strike a chord with the core audience, many of whom are housewives. Perhaps, with her perma-tan, enormous engagement ring and multi-millionaire boyfriend, they found her hard to relate to. Some complained that she was a ‘giggling airhead’.

News that the presenters were to be axed became public on Saturday, but I’m told they were informed by their bosses in early September.

Although she mustered a smile this morning, Bleakley is clearly in high dudgeon.

Tweeting on Saturday she wrote: ‘Morning, what a lovely headline to wake up to. My sarcasm comes across in this tweet I hope.’

She’s since deleted the tweet — she is to co-present Dancing On Ice with Phillip Schofield, and knows better than to bad-mouth her ITV bosses quite so publicly.

Adrian was quoted as saying he is ‘angry and acutely embarrassed’ over the way his sacking has become public. ‘Dark forces have leaked it for their own ends,’ he raged on Sunday.

(His agents — perhaps thinking about his work presenting the Champions League football for ITV — now insist he said no such thing.)

The promise was that Chiles and Bleakley would be allowed to serve out their notice with dignity while replacements were quietly found, and then given other projects to do.

Filling in: Eamonn Holmes (left) and Natasha Kaplinsky are favourites to replace Chiles and Bleakley on the Daybreak sofa


ITV executives began to look into what it would cost them to get rid of them as early as June — and discovered the channel would be £4 million poorer as a result.

But, astonishingly, they weren’t deterred. It seems Daybreak has been such a disaster it’s costing ITV far more than that in lost advertising revenue — one senior ITV figure estimates it’s losing £10 million a year.

Chiles and Bleakley were then given Fridays off, and ITV looked closely at Dan Lobb and Kate Garraway, who stood in for them, and at how they were performing.

However, Peter McHugh, who ran GMTV from 1993 to 2010, says it is wrong to lay responsibility for the debacle solely at the feet of the presenters. ‘It’s unfair to blame them completely,’ he explains.

‘A good presenter cannot save a bad show, it’s as simple as that.’

Bookmakers have Eamonn Holmes down as favourite to take over from Chiles, with former BBC newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky tipped to be his likely co-host.

However, Holmes is on a big-money deal at Sky, while some believe housewives in the audience will struggle to relate to the glamorous Kaplinsky.

Producers want to change the show itself, not just the talking heads on the sofa. The aim is to create something more American in style — news-led but offering an alternative to the more serious BBC Breakfast.

They want it to be fun. An element that, alas, has been in short supply at Daybreak.



source:dailymail