Sara Cox and Michael Ball will host 'This Morning' for the first time this week.

Michael Ball and Sara Cox

Michael Ball and Sara Cox

The duo are said to have signed up to present the brunch-time show on Friday (28.07.18) after Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's annual summer holiday sparked a reshuffle on the sofa.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "With Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford covering Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's Monday to Thursday role, it leaves their usual Friday hosting slot open for others to try their hand.

"Bosses have high hopes for Ball and Cox and are delighted they are joining the presenting roster. If it goes well, definitely watch this space."

Other names expected to appear on Fridays over the summer include the likes of Alison Hammond, Nigel Havers and Rylan Clark-Neal.

Musical theatre star Michael, 56, and BBC Radio 2 host Sara, 43, will take to the famous sofa after Dr Ranj Singh and Vanessa Feltz took on presenting duties last Friday (20.07.18).

Explaining the decision to have different hosts each Friday, the show's editor Martin Frizell said: "The summer months have always been a key time to try out new items and talent, and I wanted to have a mixture of different presenters this year doing the Fridays to keep it fresh and exciting for the viewers.

"They are ultimately who we aim to please and it's always good to play with ideas.

"Eamonn and Ruth also have plans to attend a family wedding during the summer too, so there will be more exciting opportunities for presenters and viewers."