Dancing On Ice's new host 'officially signs up' as bosses scramble to keep Holly
TV presenter Stephen Mulhern is reported to have officially signed up as the new Dancing on Ice host and will replace Phillip Schofield's reign as host.
The iconic ITV competition returns to our TV screens next month but the 16th series of the ITV show looks set to be very different. Last year's offering of the long-running reality TV show saw Nile Wilson & Olivia Smart crowned the champions of the ice rink, with hosts Phillip and Holly Willoughby the ones to announce the news that the public had voted for the former British artistic gymnast to be their winner.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, both Phillip and Holly stepped down from their hosting roles on this morning, with Schofe also hanging in the towel on his Dancing On Ice duties. While Holly decided to call it quits on This Morning too after a tumultuous year, her participation in the 2024 series of the ITV show still hangs in the balance.
ITV bosses are hoping that Holly will return to the show (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Holly could potentially present alongside Stephen (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)However, ITV bosses are reportedly hoping that by handing Stephen the role as Phillip's replacement, it might entice Holly to make her comeback to the show as fans remain baffled as to what the new series will look like without both Holly and Phil.
Speaking to The Sun, a TV insider claimed that bosses had always been keen on Stephen taking over the reigns, but are now hoping that by him presenting the show, it might give Holly the comfort she needs after the tough year she has endured both professionally and personally.
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“Stephen has been the frontrunner to take Phillip’s spot for months but ITV is thrilled to now have him signed and sealed and ready to roll," they claimed. “It means that, whatever happens, they have at least one host for the skate show. Stephen is hugely loved by viewers, is a consummate professional and as an added bonus has worked with Holly for decades - they both started out in telly together. Knowing Stephen will be there beside her could be the comfort blanket Holly needs to say yes.”
The source added that 'Holly’s situation remains up in the air' as producers are now scrambling and 'counting down to the start date'. “They’re looking at every avenue to try and get it across the line, but do also have a ‘Plan B’ list of several figures who could fill her spot," the TV insider added.
If Holly decides not to return to her hosting duties on Dancing On Ice, there seems to be no shortage of replacements as her former fellow This Morning co-host Josie Gibson tops the bill. Other names which have been thrown into the hat include This Morning's Rochelle Humes and Christine Lampard.
The Mirror has reached out to a Dancing On Ice spokesperson for comment on this story.
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