ITV 'delighted' as Holly Willoughby returns to Dancing On Ice with new co-host

28 December 2023 , 11:17

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ITV 'delighted' as Holly Willoughby returns to Dancing On Ice with new co-host

Holly Willoughby has agreed to make her TV comeback next month and resume her role as a Dancing On Ice host, with ITV confirming the show's new line-up today.

ITV bosses are "delighted" that Holly is ready to return to work and host a national TV show once again, after quitting her job as This Morning anchor back in October after she learned of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. The presenter will be joined by Stephen Mulhern as her new co-host - although the pair have worked together before.

Last year's series of Dancing On Ice saw ex-British artistic gymnast Nile Wilson and Olivia Smart triumph with Phillip Schofield and Holly announcing the winner. However, after Schofield's shock exit from ITV in May due to an affair with a This Morning colleague, there has much speculation on who would replace him on Dancing On Ice this season.

Adding to the drama, rumours had been floating around that ITV bosses weren't sure if Holly planned to return to the much-loved figure skating show in January, as she's been staying out of the public eye since leaving her This Morning gig in October to focus on "me and my family."

Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby will team up once again to present Dancing On Ice next month (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The two TV presenters began their TV careers together on Ministry Of Mayhem two decades ago (ITV)

However, Holly has finally made a decision and is ready to get on the ice rink when the new series of Dancing On Ice hits our screens on Sunday 14 January. An insider told the Mirror: "ITV are delighted to have Holly back. Stephen is a good friend of hers too so she will enjoy working with him again."

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ITV confirmed Holly's return today, with Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, saying: "Holly and Stephen are two of our best loved presenters, so reuniting them twenty years after they first appeared on screen together to host Dancing on Ice marks the start of an exciting year for the show. Celebrating 20 years since they first worked together on Ministry of Mayhem, Willoughby and Mulhern will preside over the action on the high octane skating show as this year’s celebrities compete to become champion of the ice. Judges Torvill and Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse are back on the panel.".

Just before Christmas, it was reported that ITV bosses hoped that if Stephen was given the role as Schofield's replacement, it would encourage Holly to return to the show as fans wondered what the new series will look like without its usual presenters. And it appears things have gone ITV's way, with Holly and Stephen now confirmed as next year's Dancing On Ice duo.

ITV bosses were believed to be preparing a team of presenters to step in if Holly had decided to opt out and remain out of the limelight when the show, but were confident giving Stephen the job would help lure her back. "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," a source said earlier this year.

"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."

Holly has kept a low profile over recent months following an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her emerged in October, resulting in the presenter quitting her job on daytime TV programme This Morning. In a statement shared with her Instagram followers on 10 October, Holly said: "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. 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. Richard and Judy said, ‘We only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers.’ 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. Holly."

Mark Jefferies