Holly Willoughby made her much-anticipated return to TV screens during the Dancing On Ice launch show on Sunday night.
The presenter's triumphant appearance was fueled by a pact with new co-host Stephen Mulhern from her old presenting days to “bring the fun back”.
A source has now told The Sun: “Holly is living on live TV, and none more so than those crazy days of indulging in slime and reacting to live mayhem when she and Stephen first appeared on Ministry of Mayhem began.”
“They've talked about finding the same fun tone for Dancing on Ice and Holly sees it as a great way to enjoy this big moment.
“This is incredibly important to her, but they both believe it is the right path to recapture the easy-going tone of her early days. “She wants to draw on the strength of her past as she looks to the future.”
Holly Willoughby made her much-anticipated return to TV screens during the Dancing On Ice launch show on Sunday night
The presenter's triumphant return was driven by a pact to “bring the fun back” with new co-host Stephen Mulhern from her old presenting days.
Holly's return to the spotlight comes almost three months after she stepped down from her presenting role on This Morning after learning of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder.
Web exclusively revealed last month that Holly would be returning to the show following her exit from This Morning.
Taking to Instagram an hour before the ITV skate show aired, Holly confidently wrote alongside her snap: “Let's do this one sequin at a time.”
The cast met for a photocall earlier this week where they took official pictures and took part in interviews, but Holly wasn't in attendance.
The Mirror then reported that Holly – who attended the photoshoot last year – skipped the photocall to concentrate on rehearsals with her new co-host Stephen.
A source told the publication of this year's event: “Holly doesn't want any distractions at the moment, which is why she wasn't at the photoshoot.”
“And for them it’s more about rehearsals and getting the series off to a good start with a new co-host.”
“She puts all her energy into the show.” Holly is a consummate professional and, as always, will put her heart and soul into the series with Stephen.
It comes almost three months after she learned of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder
Stephen takes over from Phillip Schofield on Dancing On Ice, having co-hosted the show with Holly before being fired by ITV
Holly signed a contract over Christmas after weeks of debating whether to host the show and is said to be “excited” to be back working on the show, which she previously hosted with her former boyfriend Phillip.
An ITV insider told Web: “Holly is a star and everyone was so hoping she would decide to come back.”
“After a lot of discussion and a lot of thought, she came to the conclusion that it would be a good thing to bring some normality into her life.”
“There are obvious concerns about appearing on live television, her family is her top priority, ITV have been very understanding and have put no pressure on her at all.”
“They wanted to give her the time she needed, but it was a difficult decision for her. “Time passed, but the bosses tried to remain calm.”
Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, said: “Holly and Stephen are two of our most popular presenters. The pair's reunion, 20 years after their first appearance together as hosts of Dancing On Ice, marks the start of an exciting year for us.'
ITV also shared a post on Instagram saying: “Dancing On Ice news 20 years after they first worked together, Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern join forces for the greatest show on ice.”
Stephen, who presents ITV game shows Catchphrase and Deal Or No Deal, is a close friend of Holly and last week signed a contract to host Dancing On Ice after agreeing to follow in Schofield's footsteps .
Taking to Instagram an hour before the ITV skating show aired, Holly confidently wrote alongside her snap: “Let's do this one sequin at a time.”
However, ITV had no replacement for Holly in the starting blocks, meaning all hopes rested on her.
Holly and Phillip, 61, co-hosted Dancing On Ice 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.
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 emerged as the frontrunner to replace Phillip after hosting spin-off series Defrosted for a year in 2006 and filling in for Phillip when he fell ill with Covid last year.
The TV presenter confirmed in October that he had been negotiating with his bosses to join as co-host following Phillip's departure.
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.
Her new co-host Stephen was by her side when she got her big break on television almost 20 years ago, co-hosting children's show Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown
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, look, it's not happening.” I promise you I would tell you if we did had confirmed it at that time.
“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.”
Holly's future on the show had been thrown into question after she resigned from This Morning after she was ultimately left “unhinged” by an alleged “kidnap and murder plot”.
The mother-of-three, who originally joined This Morning in 2009, released a statement saying she was leaving the show “for the sake of her family”.
Gavin Plumb, 36, has pleaded not guilty to charges of incitement to murder and incitement to kidnap the former This Morning presenter. The security guard remains behind bars after being denied bail.
During a short hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, who was not present, had a bail application refused. His trial date is set for June 24 next year.
It comes after Holly resigned from This Morning in October (pictured in September 2023) after she was eventually “duped” by an alleged “kidnap and murder plot”.
Holly has also paused her £1million deal with Marks & Spencer as she continues to fear for her safety.
She has been managing the retail chain's debt collection operations since 2018, but told her superiors that she needed to take some time off from her contract while she dealt with her anxiety about the case.
The star typically presents several “capsule” collections a year and also offers fashion tips to shoppers on the store's website.
She has also frozen her seven-figure contract with L'Oreal as the face of Garnier Nutrisse hair color. She has not participated in any promotional activity of the brand.
It is not known whether she gave up any income from the contracts.
Dancing on Ice is on Sunday nights at 6.30pm on ITV1.
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!'