10 December 2023 , 20:17
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This Morning is to unveil the latest guest presenters who could be in line to replace Holly Willoughby.
Christine Lampard, Mollie King and Lisa Snowdon are all paired up with Dermot O’Leary this week. Christine, 44, joins Dermot, 50, tomorrow, while Mollie, 36, is doing Tuesday and Wednesday, and Lisa, 51, showcases her talents on Thursday and Friday. Executives signed up the trio for the guest slots while Alison Hammond is on a break from the show to appear in panto – and amid increasing speculation as to who will take Holly’s place.
Radio 1 star Mollie King will be presenting this week (Getty Images)
Lisa Snowdon is no stranger to This Morning (WireImage)All three stars have hosted the show previously and a source said: “It gives us a great opportunity to mix things up and see what lands well and resonates with the viewers.” Bosses are thought to have New Year in their sights to unveil any new line-up. Other presenters who have guest hosted in recent weeks include Emma Willis, 47, and Rylan Clark, 35. While they impressed, it is not thought execs will make the duo a permanent fixture.
Other presenting line-ups in recent weeks have included Rochelle Humes, 34, Craig Doyle, 52, Josie Gibson, 38, and Cat Deeley, 47. A source said: “There is a wealth of talent available and no shortage of takers, given it is one of the most sought-after spots in television.”
Former The One Show host Christine Lampard could be in line (WireImage)
Holly and Phil both left the show this year (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)The show’s game of musical chairs comes after the departure of not only Holly but Phillip Schofield earlier in the year. Phillip, 61, quit after admitting he had an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague.
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Holly, 42, quit the show five months later, on October 10, saying it had been an “honour just to be part of its story” but it was a call she had to make for herself and her family. Last week, This Morning was vindicated when an external review found no evidence of a toxic culture. Sources say there is now a buoyant mood, which comes amid a rise in ratings.
One said: “It feels like we can move on, thank God, now the review has come back.” Some sources have suggested that disgruntled former colleagues are behind the spate of negative briefings made against This Morning to rightwing media outlets. The source added: “The picture that is being painted is not what is going on behind the scenes.”