Sofa, so good: Yorkshire stars James Martin and Anita Rani pair up for ITV

Martin, from Malton and Countryfile presenter Rani, who hails from Bradford, to front the daytime show every Friday from this week.

The pair will take over the end-of-the-week slot from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who will move to hosting Monday to Thursday while regular hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are on their annual summer break.

Martin admitted he would “do his best”, but said he still finds live television “daunting”.

He said: “It can be nerve wracking at times because you’re always a little unsure about what could happen next.

“I can handle the food items and talk about that no problem, but to go from such light and shade topics... it’s one of the toughest gigs in television without a shadow of a doubt and you realise what pros they are that do this job.

“But I’ll do my best, as that’s all I’ve done for the last 20 years.”

Martin was previously a guest host on This Morning earlier in the year.

Rani, who competed in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, said it was a “brilliant way to spend Fridays over the summer”.

She said: “Many hours of my life - certainly when I was a student - have been spent watching this daytime TV institution, so I genuinely cannot wait to see what’s in store over the coming weeks.”

She added: “And I’ll use the opportunity to pick James Martin’s brilliant cooking brain for top tips and get misty-eyed over Yorkshire with him. Roll on Friday.”

During their first show, they will speak to actor Brendan O’Carroll, discuss the latest beauty trends and learn some allotment tips, with Martin showing viewers his own vegetable patch.

Former Saturday Kitchen host Martin will also cook two summer inspired dishes with seasonal tomatoes.

This Morning’s editor, Martin Frizell, said: “James and Anita are both brilliant hosts in their own right and certainly have the skills suited for the varied and fast-paced nature of This Morning.

“Plans this year will certainly keep our viewers entertained across the summer weeks.”