Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan will host 'This Morning' for the first time in 18 years.

Richard and Judy

Richard and Judy

The beloved couple - who fronted the ITV daytime programme from its 1988 launch until they quit in 2001 - are set to return to the sofa almost two decades later as they replace Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for a two hour show next month.

The couple are quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "'This Morning' holds a very special place in our hearts, so we couldn't be more delighted to take the helm once again."

The show's editor Martin Frizell revealed the team excited to be reunited with the "broadcasting legends", and it's said the appearance could lead to more work in the future.

He added: "We can't wait to have these broadcasting legends back on the sofa."

Judy, 71, had previously insisted she would never return to the world of TV.

Speaking in 2011, she vowed: "I wouldn't remotely want to do television again."

However, she and her 63-year-old husband made their big return to 'This Morning' just last month when they were guests with The Saturdays bandmates Rochelle Humes and Molly King at the helm.

Richard said at the time: "Isn't this weird, being interviewed on 'This Morning'? It's like walking through a mirror! I keep wanting to thank you and then turn to the camera!"

Judy stole the outro from her man, as he pretended to sulk at the lighthearted snub.

He joked: "I would've done it better."