ITV 'to axe every GMTV host'

ITV executives are considering a complete clear-out of GMTV's current lineup of presenters, a report has claimed.

Anchors Kate Garraway, Andrew Castle and Emma Crosby, reporter Richard Arnold and weathergirl Clare Nasir are all expected to be axed in the summer as part of the programme's major revamp, according to the Daily Mail.

Sources say that the show's newly-appointed editor Ian Rumsey is in favour of the cull, as are ITV's director of television Peter Fincham and the network's daytime controller Alison Sharman.

A GMTV insider commented: "Quite honestly, everyone is running scared. Nobody knows what is happening as they are all waiting for Ian Rumsey to arrive. But it looks like everyone will be going."

It is thought that GMTV will take a break later this year before returning with a new name - expected to be ITV Breakfast or ITV Day. As previously announced, Adrian Chiles will be the main host and is likely to be teamed with a new female co-presenter.

The Daily Mail also claims that GMTV's newsreader Helen Fospero could manage to escape the axe as she is still being considered for an anchor role.

Penny Smith and Ben Shephard have already confirmed that they are to leave the breakfast show.