Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: ITV, TV And Film, Holly Willoughby, Celebrity, Dancing On Ice, This Morning
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: ITV, TV And Film, Holly Willoughby, Celebrity, Dancing On Ice, This Morning
ITV has just shared a statement as Holly Willoughby is finally set to return to television in January.
Holly will return to television to present Dancing On Ice with Stephen Mulhern in January, ITV has announced.
The former This Morning star and the Deal or No Deal presenter will reunite to host the beloved show 20 years after they presented Ministry Of Mayhem together.
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Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, said: "Holly and Stephen are two of our best loved presenters, so reuniting them 20 years after they first appeared on screen together to host Dancing On Ice marks the start of an exciting year for the show."
The news comes after quite a big rotation of This Morning presenters ever since Holly and Phillip Schofield left the show.
We've had a whole string of celebs who have hosted the ITV programme in recent weeks including Emma Willis, Rylan Clark, Josie Gibson, Cat Deeley, Craig Doyle and Rochelle Humes as well as The One Show's Christine Lampard, The Saturdays hit-maker Mollie King and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon.
Since then, two new presenters have been reportedly 'confirmed' to replace Holly and Phillip on the sofa.
The decision has come after heaps of speculation over who will end up taking Holly's place after revealing that she was set to go on 'indefinite leave' from This Morning following an alleged plot to kidnap her, as well as Phillip's departure, which came after he admitted to having an affair with a colleague while still married to his wife.
"I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning," Holly said in a statement when she left.
"To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much," she continued.
"This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together."
Holly added: "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."
According to The Sun, the likes of Good Morning Britain host Ben Shephard and TV presenter Cat Deeley are set to become the new faces of This Morning.
The new presenting duo are understood to be earning a hefty pay-check for the gig with each raking in up to round £550,000 each a year, which is £150,000 less than Holly and Phillip, the outlet reports.
"This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right," a source claimed.
"Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.
"He’s an extremely safe pair of hands, has real gravitas, and doesn’t have a whiff of scandal around him — he’s purer than pure."
They continued: "Cat is the number one target to replace Holly, but negotiations are ongoing.
"Lots of people were considered, but ultimately it’s all about chemistry. Everyone is very excited, and the sense is that Ben and Cat will be a real boost to morale on the ground."