This Morning presenter Cat Deeley admitted to a major blunder as she returned to the ITV daytime show after a mysterious absence.

Cat, 49, was away from the programme for a number of episodes last week, with Angela Scanlon and Alison Hammond stepping in to cover for her. 

She was back alongside Ben Shephard today (March 2), but soon confessed to an off-camera mishap before the show went live on air. 

Ben, 51, began by saying: 'She's back and you know what she's already done?'

To which Cat replied: 'Oh, go on then, tell them,' before Ben proceeded to reveal that Cat had sat on an iPad - 'blowing the budget' for the show. 

Cat said she had 'wrecked' the device, explaining: 'I was putting my shoe on and I thought, "You know what, I need to sit down, [or] I'm gonna fall on my face and lose my teeth".' 

She added: 'And so I sat on it and it just went [cracking noise]. So I've blown the budget already, my butt.'

Taking to X during Cat's absence, fans were previously confused when Irish presenter Angela, 42, stepped in for a second day in a row. 

One wrote: 'Where's Cat?' as another chimed in: 'Team, where’s Cat?'

'How far down the list of replacements was Angela Scanlon?' someone else hit out, as another concluded: 'I'm late! Where's cat?'

Others hit out against Angela, with one writing: 'Get rid of her and I may watch again,' as another added: 'Can Scanlon try better to disguise reading the autocue?'

But fans were quick to step in to defend the presenter, adding: 'Angela Scanlon is a total breath of fresh air on This Morning today!

'She stepped in at the last minute for Cat Deeley and the chemistry with Ben Shephard is already top-tier. Can we see more of this duo?'

Someone else penned: 'Angela is great, natural, down to earth,' as a third added: 'Can we please replace Cat Deeley with Angela Scanlon?'

Previously, Cat was left blushing as one of her This Morning co-stars complimented her bottom live on air during a cheeky cooking segment. 

When Ben and Cat returned to the ITV series after the half term break, the latter showcased her outfit on social media, featuring a tight-fitting pair of jeans.

Upon heading to the kitchen area, co-star Clodagh McKenna showed off her carbonara bake.

But talk soon turned to Cat's outfit, with Clodagh, 50, not holding back as she complimented the presenter - pointing out her behind.

Discussing the ingredients used in the recipe, the trio of presenters were joking about using 'the cheek' pork meat for her dish, which was packed with pancetta.

It prompted Clodagh to joke: 'Is it the cheek or the bottom? A cheeky bottom.

'I did mention earlier and I'm not sure I can mention this on TV but I did say earlier how good Cat's bottom is looking in these jeans. They really do.

'I said she's got to wear these jeans every day on the show, viewership will soar!'

Cat was seen covering her behind as she blushed, telling Clodagh: 'Oh my God, thank you... You are very, very kind and I think I'm probably blushing a bit now.'

Cat continued to giggle alongside Ben, before Clodagh joked: 'I hope I didn't embarrass you! Now, onto my pork cheeks.'

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX.