Holly Willoughby “is ready for a great new salary deal with ITV” when she returns to This Morning on September 4.
The 42-year-old presenter is currently on her annual summer break while Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle handle moderation duties in her absence.
However, she is believed to be in for a £300,000 pay rise and her annual salary – an estimated £700,000 – will be increased to £1million when she returns to a rotating crew of presenters.
Welsh presenter Steve Jones is also expected to join the team over the summer, Web exclusively revealed, as ITV tries to move beyond the sudden departure of Holly’s longtime co-host Phillip Schofield.
A source told The Sun On Sunday: “Holly is at the heart of the future and success of the show and ITV executives want her to emerge stable from a difficult year.” It will be off to a strong start with Alison cast as a dream team the start goes.
Profitable: Holly Willoughby “is ready for a great new salary deal with ITV” when she returns to This Morning on September 4
Stepping in: The presenter is currently on her annual summer break while Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle handle moderation duties in her absence
“Holly’s salary deal is up for negotiation in a couple of months so they are putting together a lucrative package that reflects their additional responsibilities without Phil and they are willing to pay up to £1million a year.”
Holly is believed to be appearing alongside Alison Hammond on her first two shows in September, with presenters such as Jones also expected to appear at a later date.
ITV is said to have spent £250,000 to revamp the ailing show, with a new segment giving fashion expert Gok Wan the chance to travel around the UK for doorstep makeovers.
The source added, “They give the show a massive boost with really positive, funny stories, nothing dark or depressing.”
“Producers will spend the money on showbiz guests and exclusive human-interest stories.” There’s plenty of glitz and glamor for viewers. But Holly will definitely be the jewel in her crown.”
Jones will co-host the show with Josie Gibson on Wednesday and ITV bosses are “thrilled” about the newcomer to the show following Schofield’s departure in May.
Channel sources say if viewers like him he will “almost certainly” be among the presenters of This Morning, which will co-host with Holly Willoughby, along with wife Gibson, Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary and Craig Doyle.
One told Web: “The hope is that those watching at home will love Steve, he is a very experienced presenter but also very cheeky.”
Swivel sofa: Holly with Craig Doyle, a popular appearance on This Morning since he stepped in as Phillip Schofield’s temporary replacement
Newcomer: TV presenter Steve Jones joins This Morning and will co-host Wednesday’s show with Josie Gibson, Web can reveal
Old times: ITV is trying to put behind the sudden departure of Holly’s longtime co-host Phillip Schofield earlier this year
“There is no permanent replacement for Phil, Holly will host with Alison, Josie, Dermot and Craig, and now probably Steve.”
“Hopefully he’ll be part of This Morning’s new dawn in the wake of the Schofield scandal and help give it a fresh new look.”
Welsh heartthrob Jones, 46, who currently hosts Channel 4’s Formula One coverage, rose to fame in 2003 when he co-hosted Channel 4’s T4 show with Miquita Oliver. He was later hired by Simon Cowell to host X Factor USA.
However, he quickly became known for his romantic escapades after dating a string of celebrities, most notably Pamela Anderson.
He also enjoyed romances with Holly’s close friend Fearne Cotton, Denise Van Outen, former Emmerdale actress Amy Nuttall and the late Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding.
Jones also had a three-year relationship between 1999 and 2002 with Welsh presenter Alex Jones, who hosted BBC’s The One Show.
The couple had an awkward reunion last month when she interviewed him on the show about his new book.
The agonizing exchange came just months after Alex, 46, revealed the shocking reason for their split in 2002 after they had been together for three years.
She opened up about how Jones lied about being unwell so he could steal an exclusive interview with Angelina Jolie for her Channel 4 show Rise.
On screen: Channel sources say if viewers like him he will ‘almost certainly’ become part of the This Morning presenter rotation (pictured Josie)
Exit: ITV bosses are “thrilled” at the newcomer to the show following Schofield’s departure in May
Alex said she “read all about her ex’s book” before the presenter awkwardly asked her how much of it she’d read.
She turned to him and said, “As a keen reader, you’re definitely a good writer!” I read part of the book and it got me hooked.
He replied, “How much is a little?” Which side of Jones are you on? before replying, “Maybe a quarter of the way.”
Jones settled down in 2014 as he has since married American Phylicia Jackson-Jones after meeting her in Los Angeles while hosting The X Factor USA in 2011.
Jones recently said of his wife, “My good marriage, my healthy marriage — that’s my greatest achievement.” I love being with my wife. She’s my absolute favorite person.’
ITV bosses have decided not to replace 61-year-old Schofield, who admitted in May to having an affair with a much younger colleague and then lied to The Mail on Sunday about it.
Instead, Holly will take center stage on the show from Monday to Thursday, alongside a member of what ITV bosses are calling the “This Morning family”.