Dancing on Ice lines up new host to replace Phillip Schofield after scandal

01 August 2023 , 19:53

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Stephen Mulhern (Image: ITV)

Stephen Mulhern has been lined up to replace Phillip Schofield as the Dancing on Ice co-host, alongside Holly Willoughby.

The Catchphrase star, who is also fronting a reboot of Deal or No Deal for ITV, has been officially offered the role and is planning to accept, according to pals. The popular star, 46, is expected to be officially announced within days.

The vacancy on the ice dance show comes after Schofield quit ITV amid the row over his affair with a much younger colleague on This Morning. Mulhern proved a big hit with fans when he was drafted in at short notice to replace Schofield when he went down with Covid last February.

After his stint, one fan asked: “Is this the end of Phil on Dancing on Ice? Stephen Mulhern is smashing it and he has a better chemistry with Holly.” The ITV stalwart was one of the favourites to land the role, with Dermot O’Leary also a contender alongside Jane McDonald, who stood in for Schofield at the British Soap Awards just after he quit ITV and This Morning in May One insider said: “Stephen is the perfect choice. Not only does he get on brilliantly with Holly, he is relaxed and fun which sits well with a show like Dancing on Ice.”

Former This Morning colleagues Holly and Phil (ITV)

Mulhern is also a regular part of Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, which is being rested after the 20th series next year, meaning he will have more time in his hectic work schedule. This Morning host Schofield walked away from his job after admitting to having an affair with a much younger This Morning employee, confessing to lying about the ‘unwise but not illegal’ relationship to his family, ITV bosses and agents.

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Who do you think should replace Phillip on Dancing on Ice? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.

At the time, he was dropped by his agents and left ITV with immediate effect. In a statement he said: “I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife. I have therefore decided to step down from the British Soap Awards, my last public commitment, and am resigning from ITV with immediate effect expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me.”

Nicola Methven