This Morning's search for Holly Willoughby replacement as ITV star 'signs up'

14 October 2023 , 08:24

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This Morning's search for Holly Willoughby replacement as ITV star 'signs up'

The search for a permanent replacement for Holly Willoughby on This Morning has begun, with ITV bosses reportedly honing in on a few of the broadcaster's star names as the next to take up the mantle after Holly sensationally quit after 14 years at the helm.

The 42-year-old TV star announced that she would be stepping down after a turbulent few months on ITV's flagship daytime show. Holly had been at the centre of a storm over the past year or so in which she was accused, alongside then co-presenter Phillip Schofield, of queue jumping when seeing the late Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall.

Holly was then hurt when she found that her co-star and close friend, Phillip, had lied about an affair he'd had with a younger male runner on the show which saw the presenter quit ITV all together and Holly unfollowed him on social media in the ensuing fallout.

Holly Willoughby quit This Morning after 14 years on the show (S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

She announced her intentions to step down in an Instagram post in which she told her 8.5 million followers: "This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive.

"To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day. It's been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much."

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There had been hopes among show bosses that Holly would have been joined on the sofa by Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard, who they saw as a perfect replacement for Phil. Holly's announcement has put a spanner in the works but there is still hope that Ben will still join the This Morning family, alongside another presenter.

This Morning is in turmoil after top presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby quit within five months of each other (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

It has been reported by the Daily Mail that finding the new Richard and Judy might also be on the agenda with bosses thinking a married couple would bring back the halcyon days of Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, when they were at the helm. With this in mind, it has been mooted that The Voice host Emma Willis and her husband Matt, who is a chart-topping musician with pop group Busted, could be in-line for the job. An all-female duo is also being sought as a possible replacement.

Mum-of-three Holly had presented This Morning for 14 years and she told her followers she'd made the decision for herself and her family. She is one of the most well-known faces on TV, hosting the likes of Dancing On Ice and Feel the Fear as well as having a highly lucrative wellness brand, Wylde Moon, with her elder sister Kelly.

James Brinsford