28 December 2023 , 13:18
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Holly Willoughby is set to make a TV comeback next month, returning as the host of Dancing On Ice with a brand new presenter by her side.
ITV confirmed the news today, expressing their delight to the Mirror at Holly's upcoming return to the spotlight after she left her role on This Morning in October for the sake of "me and my family."
Last year series saw Nile Wilson and Olivia Smart win Dancing On Ice, with the results announced by Phillip Schofield and his then This Morning co-host Holly. But after Schofield's dramatic departure from ITV in May following the dad-of-two admitting to a historic affair with a younger colleague, there was speculation about his replacement on the show.
Adding to the suspense, rumours had been swirling that Holly might not return to the popular ice skating show, thanks to the mum-of-three, 42, keeping a low profile since quitting daytime TV earlier this morning. However, Holly is ready to return to the our TV screens with Stephen Mulhern joining her as her new Dancing On Ice co-host.
New Dancing On Ice presenting Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby go back years (PA Archive)
The Deal Or No Deal presenter first stepped in to replace Phillip Schofield on the ITV show in 2022ITV today confirmed Holly and Stephen will be the new Dancing On Ice presenting duo when the figure skating show kicks off its 16th series on 14th January. An ITV 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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As Holly and Stephen were officially unveiled as a new dream team, ITV's Head of Entertainment Commissioning, Katie Rawcliffe, gushed: "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.".
Before Christmas, chatter suggested that ITV bosses thought if Stephen got Schofield's old gig, it might convince Holly to come back to the show. It seems all went as planned, with Holly and Stephen now confirmed as next year's Dancing On Ice hosts, but there was a time where ITV bosses were getting ready for Holly to take a break and stay out of the spotlight.
ITV producers were reportedly confident Stephen joining the Dancing On Ice family would help tempt Holly back to the show, with an insider saying earlier this year: "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. 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."
Stephen and Holly have worked together many times over the years, with the Dancing On Ice presenters both kick-starting their respective careers at CITV presenting children’s television shows together. From 2006 to 2007, Stephen hosted the ITV2 spin-off Dancing on Ice: Defrosted, while Holly and Schofield hosted the main show. The Deal Or No Deal host guest presented the main Dancing On Ice show with Holly in February 2022, while Schofield self-isolated Covid-19.