“I’ve never met a bloke who loves to rub his meat on a weekend more than Chris Stark”— Sian Welby talks Capital and This Morning in our exclusive Interview

January 23, 2024

Sian Welby reveals how it feels to take the reigns of This Morning

Just minutes after making her debut, fronting itv’s magazine show This Morning, viewers took to social media pleading for bosses to make her permanent.

Having worked her way up from writing for us, via presenting Channel 5’s weather and Formula E coverage, and later fronting Heart’s Evening Show, Sian is now a firm favourite with all ages, forming part of Capital’s record-breaking Breakfast Show team. Now, on the back of the popularity of her smaller stints on This Morning, Sian has been given the keys to the main show.

Fans are already loving seeing Sian co-present with Dermot O’Leary and it seems her future in TV is very, very, bright.

After a very busy morning playing spin-to-win with Hollywood actor Austin Butler on the show, we checked in with Sian to see how things are going…

You may not recall Sian, but years ago when we were called ‘Celebritain’ you used to write a column for us! I’m also from the East Midlands so it is amazing to see your career go through the stratosphere; How do you reflect on and process the last few years of your career?

Haha yes of course I remember! I think getting to the point where I am today is genuinely a combination of saying “yes” and working out “how” later! It’s a mad old journey that has been 13 years in the making from weather girl to sports presenter to radio host and back to tv. My mission was always to be considered for mainstream entertainment and so right now it feels like the stars are aligning and I’m just so happy and grateful.

Capital Breakfast has never sounded so good. It genuinely feels like being part of a conversation with a bunch of mates every morning. How are you feeling about what’s in store for the show in 2024?

I love the Capital Breakfast show. This is the show that helped me rip up the rule book, stop trying to be a “presenter” and just be full Welby! Working with Roman for the past 4 years has taught me to just be brave and try things. He’s like my cheeky little brother and we just work so well together. Same with Chris, we just end up in the silliest conversations! That show is 4 hours of nonsense, you have to get on with eachother and we all genuinely do. I laugh out loud loud every single day, even if it’s at my own expense! I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings, it’s always an adventure on Capital.

You said that hosting Jingle Bell Ball and the Summertime Ball last year was an unreal experience. Are there any particular special memories of those shows?

The jingle bell ball is the moment you actually SEE your listeners. To be surrounded by so many happy people who have been waiting all year for this gig, it’s electric. It’s like nothing else. I’m always greeted with the biggest hug from strangers who I feel like I already know. Without sounding corny, capital is a family and the breakfast show is the equivalent of a group of mates who want everyone to come and join them down the pub!

Your segments on This Morning are a delight to watch and now, here you are in pole position on the sofa. How exciting is that?

It’s hard to believe. Opportunities don’t come like this very often and I’m just beyond grateful. You know with a show like that people have a lot of expectations and the pressure is real, but thankfully the entire team is genuinely one of the nicest, most positive and supportive I’ve ever come across…apart from my breakfast team of course, who are like my family!

It feels like an exciting time in television at the moment, with new faces coming through. It worked so well on Big Brother, where Will Best got the break he deserved and smashed it. Do you sense within the industry that networks are more willing to give fresh faces a chance?

It’s always been a waiting game in this industry. You just have to be patient, work hard and be pleased for those who get the gig. Sometimes it’s their turn sometimes it’s your turn. I have to say it’s really exciting at the moment to see a lot of presenters who I’ve been on a journey with for the past 14 years all gradually coming through on mainstream tv. It’s so lovely to see.

WWe’ve seen shows like Wheel of Fortune, Big Brother and Gladiators have a resurgence. Is there a classic format that you’d love to present?

Omg forget Noel’s house party, get me a house and name blobby and a few jager bombs and I’ll show you a Welby party!

Dermot of course is a legend, what if any advice has he given you about fronting This Morning?

He has taken me under his wing and just been the best co host and mentor you could ask for. He told me to take the show one segment at a time rather than stressing about the full 2 and a half hours all at once. He’s been an incredible support, warm and welcoming. I couldn’t ask for a better person to help me on my first week of hosting.

Between you and Roman, you’ve almost got Britain’s biggest magazine shows covered. Do you think it’s time Chris had a go at fronting Sunday Brunch?

Hahah yes get that man and his 7 BBQs on telly! He’d be fantastic! I’ve never met a bloke who loves to rub his meat on a weekend more than Chris stark!! Hahaa!

Viewers absolutely love it when things go wrong or presenters break out laughing on This Morning, and we know from listening to Capital every day that you quite easily get the giggles. What do you think is most likely to set you off?

Watch This Morning weekdays from 10am on ITV1. Stream it on demand via ITVX. Hear Sian on Capital Breakfast, weekday mornings from 6.30am.