10 March 2024 , 11:51
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Dancing On Ice star Holly Willoughby has been offered a lucrative deal by ITV bosses in a bid to secure her position on the show next year.
The 43 year old star, who quit her role on This Morning last year, has proved to be a hit on the skating show alongside her co-host Stephen Mulhern. According to reports, the ITV show has been re-commissioned for next year and bosses are already in talks with Holly in a bid to stave off other channels from poaching her. A TV insider claimed that Dancing On Ice was confirmed for next year and they plan on having Holly host the show.
Holly Willoughby has been offered a lucrative deal to host Dancing On Ice next year (ITV1)Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, the source added: "Contracts are being negotiated but the chiefs love her and they know that there are others who would love to sign her up but ITV love her and they want to keep her very much part of the ITV furniture for years to come."
They continued: "Holly has a real fondness for the show, it really catapulted her career from a children's presenter into grown up television so ITV very much hope that she will agree to the deal." But this will not be her only presenting gig as bosses are now eyeing up other TV shows that she can present after quitting This Morning last October. Holly had been on the show for 14 years, alongside Phillip Schofield, after taking over from fan favourite Fern Britton, in 2009.
At the time Fern was left disgruntled following a fall out with Phillip as she felt as though bosses on the popular daytime show favoured him over her. There was also speculation that she was being paid £250,000 less than her co-star. Fern is now on Celebrity Big Brother and it has been rumoured that she still harbours resentment towards Phillip.
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Speaking to OK! a source said: "She felt like she was really hard done by when she left This Morning - and now she wants to tell her side of the story. She actually blames Phillip Scofield for her losing her job and felt he had a lot to do with the fact she got pushed out for a younger model."
They added: "She's not afraid to speak out now and she's not taking any prisoners. Viewers can certainly expect fireworks. She's using it as an opportunity to relaunch her career. She feels she's had a rough time recently - she's openly spoken about her gastric band and also got divorced from husband of 20 year, Phil Vickery."
With the return of Dancing On Ice reportedly confirmed, it is believed skating professionals Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are "super keen" as the end of the next series will coincide with their 50th skating anniversary. A friend of the Olympic champions said: "Dancing On Ice will nicely segway into their tour so they are really keen to return next year. It all falls perfectly into place for them."
After tonight's show Holly will not have a commitment at ITV for the first time in two decades. Her stint at the channel began in 2004 when she hosted Ministry of Mayhem, the show's title was changed to Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown and in 2006 she began hosting Dancing On Ice alongside Phillip Schofield.
A representative for ITV declined to comment and Holly's reps have been approached for comment.