It is one of the most coveted roles on British television.
And now ITV bosses have decided to hold live auditions to find the perfect star to replace Holly Willoughby on the This Morning sofa in the coming weeks.
As presenter Josie Gibson, 38, who hosts two to three times a week, travels to Australia to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, executives are taking the opportunity to pitch for a presenter who will take over when the program is restarted in the new year.
Sources at the network say they will “test the chemistry and likeability” of a number of potential hosts.
They also say they are primarily looking for a woman as they hope to still sign 48-year-old Ben Shephard to take over the role of Phillip Schofield in January, as they had originally planned to pair him with Ms Willoughby to bring together.
Try it out: ITV bosses have decided to hold live auditions to find the perfect star to replace Holly Willoughby on the This Morning sofa in the coming weeks
Lead candidate: Davina McCall is one of ITV bosses’ first picks to replace Holly Willoughby
Contender: Kate Garraway is also being considered by bosses as a candidate for the post
Bosses were delighted with their partnership when they tried out Mr Shephard alongside them last month.
An insider told the Mail: “There will be a mix of different presenters in the coming weeks as bosses test different contestants, some of whom will have been on the show before and some who won’t.”
“There is a large pool of presenters, both male and female, who have appeared before, but bosses will also be looking outside the show to try out potential new faces.”
“It’s an obvious way to test the chemistry, likeability and sheer skill of the presenters to see if they can easily handle hosting a two-and-a-half hour live show.”
“The show requires a solid couple who look and feel good and are able to move quickly from the lighthearted moments to the more difficult ones.”
“Bosses have been inundated with suggestions for the next This Morning duo but they will take their time getting it right, but there has been a lot of interest from agents coming along on behalf of their clients.”
The leading candidates to replace Ms Willoughby, 42, who quit as presenter of This Morning two weeks ago after 14 years, include Kate Garraway and Davina McCall.
While bosses want Mr Shephard to host, they have also considered married couples such as Cat Deeley and Patrick Kielty and Emma and Matt Willis, but at the moment it seems unlikely that will happen.
Presenters: ITV executives believe Ms Gibson and Alison Hammond are too lightweight to become main presenters
Claims: It is also considered “very unlikely” that Rochelle Humes will get the job
Claims that Abbey Clancy and Storm Huntley were being considered for the role are untrue, while senior ITV executives believe Ms Gibson and Alison Hammond are too lightweight to become the main presenters. It is also considered “very unlikely” that Rochelle Humes will get the job.
Ms Willoughby left the show two weeks ago after learning there was a plot to kidnap her. Her exit came five months after Schofield was ousted following an argument with her.
It is not yet known whether she will return to ITV to host their Sunday night show Dancing On Ice.