From the moment Holly Willoughby announced her departure from This Morning, the question on most fans of the show’s mind was: who will replace her?
After 14 years of enormous success alongside Phillip Schofield, Willoughby stunned ITV executives by giving up the coveted role after an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her became public in October.
Still recovering from Schofield’s own, more acrimonious exit in June, the beleaguered show is now looking for two long-term replacements – and the favorite to fill Willoughby’s stylish high heels isn’t exactly a household name.
In fact, Storm Huntley, who hosts Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show, is rumored to be the frontrunner… but who is she?
Born in 1987, the Scottish presenter was given her distinctive first name after her mother read Wilber Smith’s 1977 novel A Sparrow Falls, in which the main character has the same name.
Favourite: Storm Huntley is the frontrunner to replace Holly Willoughby as presenter of This Morning
Family: The presenter is married to Kerr Okan from the indie band The LaFontaines; The couple are parents to 15-month-old son Otis (pictured)
Huntley grew up in the town of Bishopbriggs in East Dunbartonshire and attended the local high school before graduating from the University of Glasgow in 2008 with a degree in politics and economics.
She continued her studies in England, where she enrolled in postgraduate studies in broadcast journalism at the London College of Communication.
Her first media role took place while studying in Glasgow, with jobs at a local hospital radio station and the university’s non-profit free-form radio station, Subcity Radio.
After graduating, she started from scratch, gaining unpaid work experience before finding paid work as a researcher at BBC Scotland.
After developing a keen interest in weather reporting, she took an Open University course in meteorology, a decision which led to Huntley presenting the weather on STV Glasgow’s Riverside Show.
Much like Willoughby, who began her career knee-deep in custard pies and buckets of gunge on children’s show Ministry Of Mayhem, her potential successor also enjoyed a stint as a children’s entertainer on CBeebies, having worked on BAFTA-nominated show Down On The Farm since 2015 .
More recently, she has appeared on Channel 5’s debate show The Wright Stuff and Jeremy Vine, where she serves as co-host.
The Scottish presenter has a similarly clear image as Willoughby and documents her family life with her 15-month-old son Otis and her rocker husband Kerr Okan from the indie band The LaFontaines on social media.
Domestic happiness: The Scottish presenter has a similarly clear image as Willoughby and documents her family life with husband Okan on social media
Regular Appearance: She appeared on Channel 5’s debate show The Wright Stuff and Jeremy Vine, where she serves as co-host
Humble beginnings: Her first media role came while studying in Glasgow, with jobs at a local hospital radio station and the university’s non-profit free-form radio station, Subcity Radio
Even her dog Boo gets in on the action, and Huntley manages an Instagram account for the adorable Shih Tzu, who already has an impressive 1,843 followers.
Huntley and Okan confirmed their engagement in 2020 and married on the banks of Lock Lomond the following year, with presenter Carol Smillie acting as the couple’s officiant.
After the birth of her first child, Huntley launched the podcast Mums In The Making with writer and producer Rachel Fulton – a light-hearted look at pregnancy through each trimester and the first few months of motherhood.
Addressing rumors last week about her possible date this morning, Huntley said on Instagram: “Very flattering but I think there might be a scheduling issue.”
A number of people are believed to be in the running for Willoughby’s former role, including part-time presenters Alison Hammond, Rochelle Humes, Josie Gibson, as well as Kate Garraway and Davina McCall.
But PR guru Andy Barr told The Scottish Sun that advertisers would flock back to the show if Huntley was given the role.
He said: “Storm Huntley is quickly increasing bookmakers’ odds to make the jump to ITV’s This Morning.”
Family time: TV presenter Huntley with her little son in another social media photo
Colleagues: The presenter poses for a photo with Jeremy Vine at the TV Choice Awards 2019
Popular: PR guru Andy Barr believes advertisers would flock back to the show if Huntley were given the role
“While all speculation so far suggests there is a job competition between her and the ever-charismatic Alison Hammond, I wonder whether ITV will take the opportunity to completely revamp the format and have two female presenters lead the show.” . And why not?
“Have the odd male guest presenter come in and out, as is the case now, or even make it more of a panel format with a few different presenters coming in and out, but Storm and Alison are the frontrunners. “
“The powerhouse duo with their strong brand image and large fan base would ensure that high-spending advertisers may be lining up to return to the program.”
Meanwhile, ITV has released a new document called ‘The Personal Relationships At Work Policy’, which asks employees whether their relationships with each other are sexual, romantic or even platonic in nature.
Regular gig: Huntley, who started out as a researcher at BBC Scotland, moved to Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff in 2015, now under the title Jeremy Vine
Vacant role: From the moment Holly Willoughby announced her departure from This Morning, the question on most fans’ minds was: who will replace her?
According to The Sunday Times, “If there is a personal relationship between you and another colleague (whether it began before or during your employment or involvement with ITV), both parties must disclose this to the company at the earliest opportunity.” .
Anyone violating the policy may face disciplinary action and loss of employment.”
An ITV employee said the document was “really crazy”.
It comes amid an investigation into the behavior of former This Morning presenter Schofield, 61, who had an affair with a younger male colleague.