I’m A Celebrity star frontrunner to replace Holly Willoughby on Dancing on Ice
Recent I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! contestant, and regular This Morning host, Josie Gibson is said to be the front runner to replace Holly Willoughby on Dancing On Ice.
The 38-year-old former Big Brother contestant has worked with 42-year-old Holly in the past as they often shared screen time on This Morning. While Holly quit This Morning earlier this year in the aftermath of a horrifying alleged kidnap plot against her, there have been hopes that she will return to screens in January to continue hosting winter sport show Dancing On Ice.
But ITV bosses are said to be drafting back up plans in case Holly is still unable to return to the public spotlight - meaning Josie could be the natural successor to replace her on the long-running skating contest. Bosses think Josie came across well on I’m A Celeb - which concluded earlier this month and saw her place fourth.
This would potentially therefore see Josie hosting the winter sport show alongside Stephen Mulhern, 46, who was announced as the host replacing Phillip Schofield, 61, after his contract with ITV went up in flames earlier this year due to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair behind-the-scenes of This Morning which he lied about. The 2024 season of Dancing On Ice is expected to begin in three weeks time with the confirmed line-up of hosts still to be determined.
Josie Gibson recently placed fourth on I'm A Celeb and could be hosting Dancing On Ice in 2024 (James Gourley/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Josie could replace Holly Willoughby to host the skating show alongside Stephen Mulhern (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)A source told The Sun: “Josie’s stint in the jungle shows she has the perfect blend of humility, confidence, humour and unflappability. And she’s already proved she’s able to handle live TV during her time as a co-host on This Morning where she’s also developed quite a following among viewers.
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“ITV will be hoping she’ll bring that popularity across to Dancing On Ice, if she ends up bagging the job in Holly’s absence. ITV are still hoping Holly will sign up. But the situation remains up in the air and nervous producers are now counting down to the start in days rather than weeks.”
The latest update comes after Josie had already been tipped to take on the role - with The Saturdays star Rochelle Humes and occasional Lorraine cover host Christine Lampard also said to be in the running. A source claimed last weekend: “Bosses have left the offer open-ended to suit Holly and not put pressure on her after the time she’s gone through, and they are quietly confident she will return. But they feel Dancing On Ice is a set piece so if she does step away they know there is no shortage of glam female presenters to step in.”
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The 2024 season of Dancing On Ice will be the 16th edition of the show - with dance stars Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse and Olympic icons Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill all returning to judge the show. A wide mix of celebrities have been confirmed for the upcoming season with Radio presenter Adele Roberts, Love Island star Amber Davies, actress Claire Sweeney, and Olympic skier Eddie the Eagle in the mix.
Fellow Olympian Greg Rutherford, S Club star Hanna Spearitt, comedian Lou Sanders and Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire are also taking part. While boxer Ricky Hatton, EastEnders star Ricky Norwood, Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi and Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas complete the line-up.
Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb had been cast to take part in the show - but was forced to drop out of the contest in October when it was revealed he had broken his ankle during rehearsals. A spokesperson for Dancing on Ice said at the time: "Stephen Lustig-Webb has had to withdraw from the show due to an injury he sustained to his ankle during training. He is still very much a part of the Dancing on Ice family, we will be helping to support Stephen and we wish him well with his recovery."
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