Holly Willoughby is “overhauling her low-key image as the queen of daytime TV” and could soon star as a solo star in her own show, it is claimed.
The 42-year-old presenter returned to Dancing On Ice on Sunday night after taking a break from television last October amid an alleged kidnapping and murder plot.
She quit her This Morning role after the conspiracy came to light, just months after Phillip Schofield quit as her co-host after his affair with a younger showrunner came to light.
But when she returned to the rink, an expert told The Sun that she appeared “more mature” and could “relaunch her career” by moving on to her own solo exhibition in the future.
She also opted for a very sexy silver dress look as a change from her more casual ensembles on This Morning.
Holly Willoughby is “overhauling her reserved image as the queen of daytime TV” and could soon be hosting her own show as a solo star, it's claimed (seen left on Dancing On Ice on Sunday and right on This Morning last September).
The 42-year-old presenter returned to Dancing On Ice on Sunday night alongside new co-host Stephen Mulhern after taking a break from television last October amid a suspected kidnap and murder plot
Expert Nick Ede told the publication: “For her to be back on our screens establishes herself as the leading broadcaster in the UK.” It felt like it was her show – she owned the rink.
“She's no longer the queen of daytime television – it looks like she's the queen of prime time.” It felt like Holly had somehow grown up and I can imagine she's moving on to more serious things now.
“She has always been able to do light entertainment with serious topics on This Morning and I can now see her doing documentaries or big celebrity interviews, which would be really compelling.”
They added that she moved away from the “giggling Disney princess version of Holly” as she confidently led the presenting duo.
It was revealed that Dancing On Ice had its lowest ratings ever with presenter Holly's TV comeback.
The Sunday evening show, which featured stars such as Amber Davies and Ricky Hatton, only had 3.6 million viewers at the start.
In comparison, the launch was watched by 4.1 million in 2023 and 4.3 million in 2022. 5.4 million tuned in for the 2021 opening show, while 5.1 million tuned in in 2020.
It was a return to television for Holly, who has been away from screens since her exit from This Morning in October after 14 years on the sofa.
When she returned to the rink, an expert told The Sun that she appeared “more mature” and could “relaunch her career” by moving on to her own solo exhibition in the future
She also opted for a very sexy silver dress look as a change from her more casual ensembles on This Morning
The show also reunited the TV star with Stephen Mulhern, who has replaced Phillip as host of the skating show.
20 years ago she worked with Stephen on the Saturday morning children's show Ministry Of Mayhem.
The show was later retitled Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown.
Stephen, 46, briefly hosted the show in 2022 after Phillip tested positive for Covid-19.
Before the show, Holly posted on Instagram: “Let's do this with one sequin each.”
The series started on Sunday with an opening appearance by the professional skaters and the introduction of the new prominent participants.
Holly, who wore a silver, glittery dress, said: “To the greatest show on ice and we look forward to the great line-up of 2024. Let me extend a warm welcome to Stephen Mulhern.”
As a result, Ricky was accepted into next week's skate-off after a boxing-inspired performance failed to wow the judges or television audience.
The 45-year-old former world champion boxer received 12.5 points from the judges and could face elimination following a public vote next week.
Ricky wore a boxing outfit and knee pads as he did mini punches and push-ups on the ice with his professional skating partner Robin Johnstone to the Rocky movie theme song “Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti.
Judge Ashley Banjo said the show was “iconic” and Hatton could be proud of the audience’s reaction.
She quit her This Morning role after the conspiracy came to light, just months after Phillip Schofield quit as her co-host after his affair with a younger showrunner came to light
Heading the judging panel was former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, who scored 26.5 points with his partner Amani Fancy.
His energetic performance to Kings Of Leon's 'Sex On Fire', which included a pirouette move, was described as 'absolutely brilliant' by judge Oti Mabuse.
Love Island winner and West End star Davies, Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi, Olympian Greg Rutherford and S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt also appeared during the opening show.
Next week, radio presenter Adele Roberts, EastEnders star Ricky Norwood, actress Claire Sweeney, reality TV personality Miles Nazaire, comedian and author Lou Sanders and former ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards will go head-to-head for the first time.