Holly Willoughby remains at the top of bookies odds to host the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice after reports of “crisis talks”.
The 42-year-old star left This Morning last month and is now said to be reluctant to return to the skating show in January, where presenter slots are still unconfirmed after her co-host Phillip Schofield left the show earlier this year.
William Hill states that Holly, who has hosted the show since 2006, is a quarter convinced to return to the show and that she will do so alongside Stephen Mulhern, who will be a tenth taking over Phillip’s role.
Lee Phelps, a spokesman for the gambling giant, said of the news: “There certainly seems to be a sense of concern among Dancing On Ice bosses about who will present the upcoming January series…”
“But our market suggests ITV executives need not worry about presenter Holly Willoughby’s chances of returning to screens.” “Willoughby is very confident at 1/4 that she will resume her presenting duties when the new series starts in a few weeks.”
Shock: Holly Willoughby remains at the top of odds with bookmakers to host the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice after reports of ‘crisis talks’ (pictured in January).
Living it up: The 42-year-old star left This Morning last month and is now said to be reluctant to return to the skating show in January, where presenter slots are still unconfirmed, after her co-host Phillip Schofield left the show earlier this year
Who is it?? There is increasing speculation among fans about who should take on the role. Instagram users write: “To be honest, I’m more interested in who will moderate the role.”
There is increasing speculation among fans about who will take on the role. Instagram users write: “To be honest, I’m more interested in who will moderate the role…”
“Great… who are the moderators? …Who will be the moderators? … I ask myself the same thing! …Who will present it, that’s the $100 question…Will @hollywilloughby be there to present it this time?…
The cast for the next series has already been confirmed, but the presenting slots are still unconfirmed after Holly’s co-host Phillip left the show earlier this year.
Speaking to The Sun, the source said: “In many ways the producers of Dancing on Ice are in limbo until they can sort out the question of who will steer the ship when the show returns.”
“Although it typically doesn’t start until mid-January, bosses are still working to a time frame measured in weeks, not months.”
“It’s a very precarious situation when the entire crew and a group of celebrities are already working towards the first show, but no one has the nail on the head to host it.”
Holly and Phillip, 61, hosted Dancing On Ice together from its inception in 2006 until 2011. Christine Lampard then replaced Holly for the next three series until the show ended in 2014.
The series was then revived by ITV in 2018, with both Holly and Phillip returning as presenters until this year.
Panic: The cast for the next series has already been confirmed, but the presenting slots are still unconfirmed after Holly’s co-host Phillip left the show earlier this year (Holly pictured on the show in February)
No presenters: The line-up for the next series has already been confirmed, but the presenting slots are still unconfirmed after Holly’s co-host Phillip Schofield left the show earlier this year (Holly and Phillip pictured on the show in February)
Phillip was then fired from ITV after admitting to lying about a romantic relationship he had with a former younger colleague and immediately ended his contract with This Morning.
Stephen Mulhern has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Phillip after presenting spin-off series Defrosted for a year in 2006 and filling in for Phillip when he fell ill with Covid last year.
Last month, the 46-year-old TV host confirmed he was in talks with his bosses about joining as co-host, although nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
Stephen told Web that it would be “amazing” to host the show and that it is always a “great time” to co-host with long-time friend and colleague Holly.
Long-standing partnership: Holly and Phillip, 61, co-hosted Dancing On Ice from its launch in 2006 until 2011 (pictured in February).
Scandal: Phillip was subsequently fired from ITV after admitting he had lied about a romantic relationship he had with a former younger colleague and immediately ended his contract with This Morning (pictured in May).
He said: “I used to do the spin-off show Defrosted and when I stepped in for Phil when he wasn’t feeling too well because he had Covid, I really enjoyed it and it was so nice to be with Holly again.
“We had a great time together and a lot of the team were the same as when I was on the ITV2 show.”
“We’re talking about it, but I promise you now that nothing is confirmed, but if it happens it will be absolutely amazing… if not, then look, it’s not happening.” I promise you I would tell you if we would have confirmed it at this point.
“The lineup is the best it’s been in a few years… I’m keeping the lineup just in case… It’s a big staple and it’s already there.”
Meanwhile, Holly’s future on the show remains unclear after she stepped down from This Morning last month after she was finally left “unhinged” by an alleged “kidnap and murder plot”.
Mum-of-three Holly, who originally joined This Morning in 2009, released a statement saying she was leaving the show “for the sake of her family”.
The criminal case is said to have left Holly – once the golden girl of British television – in limbo.
Your former colleague, Dr. Ranj Singh, however, revealed on Wednesday that Holly will be back on screens in the future once she gets over the “difficult” situation she finds herself in.
Substitute? Stephen Mulhern has emerged as a frontrunner to replace Phillip, having presented spin-off series Defrosted for a year in 2006 and filling in for Phillip last year when he fell ill with Covid (Stephen and Holly to be seen in 2022) .
Possibilities: Last month, the 46-year-old TV host confirmed he was in talks with his bosses about joining as co-host, although nothing has been officially confirmed yet
Speaking to Closer magazine, the former This Morning doctor said: “Of course she will return to TV, she’s too good not to.”
“I don’t know where or what show, but she’s so good at it that it would be a shame if she gave up completely.”
Dr. Ranj added that amid her “tough” ordeal he reached out to Holly to check if she was OK, revealing: “She responded and she’s fine.”
“Obviously it’s a really difficult situation for her and she’s made a really difficult decision, but the best thing she can do is reach out and just check in.”
Stars preparing for the ice challenge this year include former Love Island winner and West End actress Amber Davies, former professional boxer Ricky Hatton, actress Claire Sweeney, Corrie star Ryan Thomas, Radio DJ Adele Roberts and S Club 7 singer Hannah Spearritt.
EastEnders actor Ricky Norwood, Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire, Olympian Greg Rutherford, ski jumper Eddie the Eagle, comedian Lou Sanders and Emmerdale’s Roxy Shahidi complete the line-up.
Scary time: Meanwhile, Holly’s future on the show remains unclear after she resigned from This Morning last month after she was finally “crossed over” by an alleged “kidnap and murder plot” (pictured on This Morning) in February).
Taking a break: Your former colleague Dr. However, Ranj Singh revealed on Wednesday that Holly will be back on screens in the future once she gets over the “difficult” situation she finds herself in (pictured on This Morning in 2020).
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE 2024 PARTICIPANTS
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: Former professional boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? “If I can keep my nerve in the boxing ring, I should be able to keep my nerve in the rink.”
HANNAH SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m really looking forward to learning a new skill. “It’s so easy to live a comfortable life and that aspect of variety is very appealing.”
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? “I like challenges and I needed a reason to go out and do things again and here we are.” “I want to perform something that hasn’t been done before, that’s my goal.”
Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards
AGE: 59
OCCUPATION: OLYMPIC SKI JUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? “Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. “It’s a challenge that I think I’ll enjoy!”
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
OCCUPATION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “It comes at such a great time in life.” I can’t skate at all! “No rehearsals yet, I just did physical therapy to strengthen the body.”
RYAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
OCCUPATION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Are you doing this?’ I’ve told everyone!’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
OCCUPATION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m entering the unknown here.” I don’t know how I’ll feel. But I’m very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I would definitely say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but as I get older I get more and more nervous and I hope I can keep it in check.”
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? “I’ve always loved dancing but it’s usually on the dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.”
LOU SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m afraid of hitting my head, or just smashing my old head in.” “I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.”
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
OCCUPATION: RADIO HOST
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “For me it means putting everything on hold”! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there because I usually hide.
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
OCCUPATION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I can’t skate. I haven’t actually said anything to anyone, but mostly because I’m so nervous about it!’