Former The Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson is reportedly poised to take over The Jeremy Kyle Show’s old morning slot.
ITV axed Jeremy Kyle’s controversial talk show in May following the tragic death of a participant.
Since then, its 9.25am hour has been filled with repeats of other daytime fare including Judge Rinder and quiz show Tenable.
Bosses have been taking their time to find new replacement shows, and it seems one has now reached pilot stage.
According to The Sun, Scottish comedian Craig Ferguson has filmed a test episode of a self-titled current affairs program.
The Craig Ferguson Show apparently sees him debate topics such as cheating and single parenting with guests in front of an audience.
“Craig is huge in the US,” an insider commented. “In terms of being outspoken and encouraging debate he could give Jeremy Kyle a run for his money.
“ITV have been working on the show over the summer with bosses hoping it will get the green light for next year.”
While Ferguson is a Glasgow native, he is most famous in the US, where he hosted The Late Late Show on CBS for almost a decade.
He left the late-night staple at the end of 2014 and was replaced by another UK star, James Corden.
Although the subject matter of his new show sounds broadly similar to Jeremy Kyle’s format, it will almost certainly have a different tone.
ITV’s programming boss Kevin Lygo admitted last month that he wouldn’t commission The Jeremy Kyle Show in the present day, branding it “anachronistic”.
The network is also reportedly considering extending This Morning to fill its gap, although such a move is yet to materialise.
