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Ben Shephard revealed one of his This Morning co-stars had been left ‘stuck in traffic’ on Tuesday morning, delaying their appearance on the ITV show

This Morning was back on TV screens on Tuesday (9 September) with Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard at the helm of the ITV programme.

The presenting duo brought TV viewers a jam-packed show, featuring guest interviews and all of the latest headlines, as well as a money-saving segment with Martin Lewis, but the star was unfortunately running late to the studio.

Ben and Cat kicked things off by sharing an insight into ITV’s 70th anniversary celebration, which took place on Monday (8 September) evening at Guildhall in London, with all of the broadcaster’s regular stars in attendance.

Ben revealed he and Cat were joined by fellow This Morning stars Dermot O’Leary and Olivia Attwood on their table at the event, as well as Martin.

“Dermot was there, of course. Olivia came along, was sitting on our table. We had a really lovely time talking to some of the guests,” Ben said.

He added: “Martin, who is going to be joining us a little bit later on, we think he’s a little bit stuck in traffic.”

Cat then interjected: “It’s the tube strike, isn’t it?” however, Ben hinted there could be another reason behind Martin’s lateness, adding: “He was still there when I left, at half past 10!”

Laughing, Cat then quipped: “Ah, so it’s not the tube strike!”

Thankfully, Martin eventually made it to the ITV studio in time for his This Morning segment, titled September Savings.

He shared a number of money-saving tips with viewers, with a focus on summer holidays. Martin explained how to get money back for delayed flights and ways to get the most out of suncream in a bid to help people save cash.

The financial journalist, who hosts The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV, had shared an update regarding the tube strike with fans on social media late on Monday evening.

Posting a photograph from a very busy street in the capital, Martin told his followers: “Walking past a bus stop on New Oxford Street, London in the middle of a tube strike.”

Thousands of people faced delays on Monday as the London Tube strike took hold, shutting down nearly all services. The strike continued on Tuesday, enterting its second full day.

Industrial action began on Sunday (7 September) over pay and conditions, and the Tube is not expected to reopen until Friday (12 September).

This Morning airs on ITV1 at 10am on weekdays

FRANKIE Bridge has broken down in tears on the tube amid her ongoing feud with Myleene Klass.

Loose Women panellist Frankie, 36, took to her TikTok page this weekend to share a teary video where she looked incredibly sad.

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The former star of The Saturdays was seen breaking down in tears while standing on the mode of public transport.

“When you start crying on the tube…

“But it’s okay, because now you get to pretend you’re in a music video,” Frankie penned over the top of the video.

In the caption, she also wrote, “Anyone else like to pretend they’re in a music video on the train?”

The music that played over the top of the video was Too Little Too Late by JoJo.

Fans flocked to the comments section, with many seemingly concerned for Frankie.

“What are you crying for?” asked one.

“Are you ok?” quizzed another.

A third person wrote: “If I was there I would have give u a hug.”

“Life is tough just remember Frankie you are doing your best and tomorrow is another day,” penned a fourth.

“Things will improve these moments are here to make you feel stronger,” said a fifth.

A sixth person then touchingly penned: “I feel so sorry for you at the moment Frankie, every video you’ve put up lately, you can literally see the sadness in your eyes.

“Hope you work through it and get back to yourself which I know is easier said the done as I know from experience.

“Stay strong and try and focus on all the good things in your life.”

Myleene’s shock feud explained

Myleene Klass has found herself embroiled in a bitter feud.

It all kicked off when she made shock claims about her ex-husband Graham Quinn.

The former Hear’say star claimed that she walked in on her ex and a famous woman in the industry “unzipping” each other’s clothes.

Myleene said the heartbreaking moment happened in her home at her own birthday party.

Speaking on We Need To Talk podcast, Myleene said: “It was in my house, it was my party.

“They weren’t having sex but they were unzipping each other. ‘It’s not what you think,’ but it is what I think. It’s the first thing they both said.

“I kicked everybody out of the party including his mum and dad.”

Graham is yet to respond publicly to the accusations.

However, it has ignited a feud with fellow noughties popstars, Rochelle Humes and Frankie Bridge.

The two Saturdays stars are both former clients of Graham, and have remained friends with him.

Friends told The Sun that Myleene’s claims about Graham have caused tension between her, Rochelle and Frankie.

Shortly after she dropped the cheating bombshell, Frankie then posted a cryptic video, which said that somebody was “dead to me”.

Rochelle then shared a cosy snap with Graham, along with husband Marvin Humes.

In a further twist, sources claim that Rochelle gave Myleene’s ex a place to stay when she dumped him.

This comes as the mum-of-two is embroiled in an awkward fall-out with her The Saturdays band member Rochelle Humes and Myleene Klass.

This follows a row over Hear’Say singer Myleene’s “cheating” ex.

We previously reported how ITV has stepped in to manage strained relations between Frankie, Rochelle and Myleene.

The Saturdays pair now appear to have mended their feud with each other – but not with Pure and Simple singer Myleene, 47.

And with the National Television Awards taking place this week, it has been revealed Myleene will skip the event to avoid any awkward run-ins with the two women.

A source told The Sun: “There has been wild speculation lately that the women don’t get on after falling out years ago.

“Fortunately, they will avoid a public clash as Myleene, who has been a regular at the glitzy event over the years, is swerving it this year as she has work commitments.”

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Planned strikes over pay, shift patterns and fatigue management are set to disrupt the London Underground tube lines from this week, with DLR staff also taking industrial action over ‘pay and conditions’

London is bracing for travel chaos this week as planned strikes over pay, shift patterns and fatigue management are set to disrupt the Underground tube lines.

Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that from Sunday, 7 September until Thursday, 11 September, tube services will be “severely disrupted, with little to no service expected”. There will also be no DLR (Docklands Light Railway) service on Tuesday, 8 September and again on Thursday, 11 September.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, which represents tube drivers, said they were taking industrial action over “pay, fatigue management, extreme shift patterns and a reduction in the working week”. They also confirmed that DLR staff would be striking in a separate dispute “over pay and conditions”.

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In addition to this, bus routes across London were disrupted due to strike action on First Bus services that took place from August 29 to 30, and again from September 1 to 2. Thousands of bus drivers, engineers and controllers at London United and London Transit, both linked to parent company First Bus London, are said to have taken action over “low pay and awful conditions”.

As strikes continue across London this week, we’ve taken a look at what London tube and bus drivers earn. Here’s everything we know…

What do TfL Underground tube drivers earn?

According to The Standard, a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request to TfL revealed that the yearly wage for a TfL tube operator, also known as a driver, in April 2024 was £65,179, while advanced operators pocketed £75,677.

The standard hourly rate for a regular operator was £35.70, while advanced operators took home £39.20 an hour. The overtime rate per hour for a standard driver was disclosed as £44.62 and £49.00 for advanced drivers.

It was also revealed that tube drivers typically work around 35 hours a week over roughly three and a half shifts.

What do TfL bus drivers earn?

TfL bus drivers are reported to earn between £15 and £20 an hour, depending on their experience. This is estimated to earn them around £31,000 to £37,440 annually.

What do Elizabeth line drivers earn?

Drivers on the Elizabeth line are reported to earn significantly more than the average tube driver after they secured a deal in February to boost their salaries to £75,000.

Amid the upcoming planned strikes, TfL confirmed that the Elizabeth line, London Overground, and trams will continue to run as their staff belong to a different union. However, they’ve cautioned that despite the services running as usual, they are expected to be extremely busy.

It’s also crucial to note that the Elizabeth line or the Overground may not stop at certain stations if they are shut due to the industrial action. Moreover, planned engineering works are scheduled on some Overground and Elizabeth lines during the strikes.

Everyone is urged to check their journey before they travel when using any service. You can do this on the TfL website here.

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