This Morning's Mollie King dealt huge blow despite years of hosting show
Mollie King has reportedly been snubbed by ITV as Holly Willoughby's replacement.
The former The Saturdays singer has already stood in Holly's shoes on This Morning many times before, however, it appears she is not tipped to get the permanent gig. It comes after Holly quit the daytime show back in October amid a horrifying plot to kidnap and murder her. Since her departure after 14 years, ITV has been testing out a rotating roster of presenters.
Last month Mollie, 36, joined Dermot O'Leary to present the magazine show. She was said to have been a contender after bosses ran live auditions to secure the next Holly and Phil duo. Mollie was up against the likes of Emma Willis, Lisa Snowden and Christine Lampard.
Mollie has been a regular host on This Morning (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)However, a source has now claimed bosses are not so keen on signing Mollie despite appearing on the show over the past few years. A source told the Daily Mail: "It seemed like a really good idea to get Mollie on, she is literally a dead ringer for Holly and she has a big fan base. But she just doesn't have the hours of live broadcasting time that is needed to host a show like This Morning.
"It would have been a great gimmick for the programme, she literally is Holly's doppelganger but it was a case of thanks, but no thanks." Mollie hosts a BBC Radio 1 show alongside comedian Matt Edmondson and has previously opened up on her time presenting This Morning.
Phillip Schofield mocks Molly-Mae's baby name in cruel swipe at Love Island star
Speaking to The Express back in 2020, Mollie admitted: “I’ve grown up watching the show so to get to host it a couple of times over the summer is such an honour. It’s nerve-wracking as it’s such a big show and you don’t want to let the show down, don’t want to let the the viewers down.”
She added: “It’s definitely nerve-wracking because it’s an iconic show, the fact that it’s live and it’s such an adrenalin rush from it, you really get the butterflies in your tummy when you hear the theme song coming on at the start."
ITV bosses have been trying to find the right fit for their main presenting duo after Phillip Schofield sensationally walked away from the show after admitting to an "unwise but not illegal" affair. Last month it was reported Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley were top to secure the jobs.
The new duo are understood to be earning £550,000 each a year and a source told The Sun: "This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right. Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic."
However, This Morning fans have appeared to show who they want to take the top spots. Rylan Clark and Emma Willis impressed viewers as they presented the programme together over the Christmas break. One This Morning enthusiast said: “Emma and Rylan have been the best so far.”
Another added: “Without a shadow of a doubt they are brilliant together when are ITV going to sort their act out and give the public what they want.” Someone else wrote: “It’s all getting ridiculously silly now. Just give the main presenting job to the most professional pairing. Rylan & Emma are best to date. Imo.” A fourth commented: “Emma and Ryan were the best by a mile”, with another writing: “Emma and Rylan are the best. They have been so funny. The chemistry between them is great.”
ITV were approached for comment.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
