Huge ITV name favourite to host Dancing On Ice after Holly's This Morning exit
Days after Holly Willoughby's dramatic and sudden exit from This Morning, ITV are in talks with one of its top presenters about joining her on Dancing On Ice.
The Mirror exclusively revealed that Holly has told friends she will be back to host the skating show next year despite stepping down from her daytime role. Holly, 42, announced on Instagram that she would be leaving This Morning after 14 years with immediate effect, vowing to put her 'family first'. The move has left bosses with a huge gap in their presenting roster with rumours of a major revamp at ITV towers.
While the new look This Morning team is yet to be solved, ITV insiders have confirmed that Stephen Mulhern is the favourite to replace Holly's former co-host Phillip Schofield on Dancing On Ice and is already in advanced talks about the role.
The insider said: “ITV bosses have held talks with a number of potential candidates, but the current front-runner is Stephen Mulhern.
“The talks with him are at the most advanced stage, so while nothing is confirmed, it is looking increasingly likely that he will be stepping into Phil’s shoes. We would of course like Holly to return, but she is under no pressure from us.
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Stephen Mulhern joined Holly Willoughby on Dancing On Ice earlier this year and won over viewers (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)“The earliest the hosts would begin work on the series is mid-December, so there is no panic, and we want her to take her time.”
The news comes after The Mirror revealed Holly has told friends she will be returning to Dancing On Ice this year.
Her position on the show had been in doubt after her decision to quit This Morning for her family after a tumultuous few months. Her co-star Phillip Schofield also quit the skating show when he stepped down from ITV daytime in May.
However, it's understood Holly will not be following in his footsteps and has vowed Dancing On Ice in January will mark her TV comeback.
A source said: "Holly has told her friends she wants to do Dancing on Ice this year. In spite of her decision to walk away from This Morning, she is still very much part of the ITV family and she loves the show.
“The last few weeks have been really difficult for her, and her team have avoided any formal discussions about work because she has been through so much lately. So no official decisions have been made. But her hope is that she will be back. While Holly has understandably struggled with recent events, she is trying her best - with the help of family and friends - to look forward and to be positive.”
It is understood ITV bosses have indicated to Holly that she is under no pressure to confirm her return.
The celebrity cast for this year’s Dancing on Ice was announced earlier this month, with stars including Claire Sweeney, Greg Rutherford, Amber Davies and Hannah Spearritt. They are now in training with their professional skating partners.
Announcing her This Morning exit on Instagram this week, Holly wrote: “I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning. To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much.
“This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together. 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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