04 December 2023 , 16:33
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ITV bosses are said to be desperate to get Holly Willoughby back presenting Dancing on Ice – and are prepared to pay big bucks to make it happen.
The TV host stepped back from all her presenting duties in October after a man was arrested and charged with an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. The scare prompted her to quit This Morning after 14 years.
Ordinarily the 42-year-old would be back on TV in January hosting the 2024 series of Dancing on Ice, but at the moment the mum-of-three hasn’t been confirmed for the show. Stephen Mulhern, who would stand in for Holly’s former presenting side kick Phillip Schofield when he was off sick, has said he is in talks to be his replacement after Phillip’s career was left in tatters over his affair with a much younger male colleague who worked on This Morning.
Holly’s absence from the show has reportedly left ITV in crisis over who will present Dancing on Ice as it has always been fronted by two hosts. ITV said in a statement to the Mirror: "We will make further announcements for Dancing on Ice in due course." The Mirror has also reached out to Holly's reps for further comment on this story.
Will Holly return to present Dancing on Ice with new co-host Stephen Mulhern? (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)With the new series of Dancing on Ice due to start in a matter of weeks, producers are reportedly hoping Holly will sign up and make a spectacular TV comeback. A source told MailOnline: “Dancing on Ice will be presented by Stephen Mulhern and a co-host, but Holly is yet to formally agree. Bosses hope they can convince her to come back to work in the new year because they feel the relationship between her and Stephen is exactly what the series needs.
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“The situation is extremely sensitive due to everything that Holly has gone through in recent months and the channel is being careful not to put pressure on her decision, although they are hoping that renegotiating her contract will help to close the deal. Time is running out now given photoshoots need to happen, plus it won’t be long until the show needs to start promoting the new series.”
Since quitting This Morning, Holly has stepped back from public life in a bid to protect herself and her family. She has stopped attending red carpet events, paused her brand deals with L’Oreal and Marks & Spencer and not posted on social media since October.
Her last post on Instagram announced her step back from the spotlight and said: "I have let know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to . To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together.
"Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.
"Richard and Judy said, 'We only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers.' It's been an honour to just be part of it's story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much. Holly."
When Dancing on Ice returns with or without Holly in January, Ashley Banjo, Christopher Dean, Oti Mabuse and Jayne Torvill will all be on the judging panel. This year’s celebrity line-up includes boxer Ricky Hatton, stars Claire Sweeney and Ryan Thomas, Emmerdale legend Roxy Shahidi, winner Amber Davies, S Club 7's Hannah Spearritt, Olympic Ski jumper Eddie the Eagle, actor Ricky Norwood, Made In Chelsea's Miles Nazaire and radio host Roberts.
The Mirror has approached Holly's representatives for comment on this story.