Entertainment
Popular TV presenter ‘lined up to host Dancing On Ice with Holly Willoughby’ after Phillip Schofield’s exit-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Holly and Stephen go way back.
Holly Willoughby’s new co-host has been reportedly offered a contract from ITV (Picture: Shutterstock)
ITV has reportedly found a replacement for Phillip Schofield on Dancing On Ice.
The former This Morning presenter, 61, had presented the competition series since 2006 predominantly alongside Holly Willoughby, 42, until he quit all his projects after confessing to lying about an affair with a runner.
Speculation has since been mounting about who could fill the former TV star’s shoes, with some fans theorising stars such as Jane McDonald could be doing the honours.
Now, however, it has been claimed that the Loose Women broadcaster has settled on a presenter – and officially offered him a contract.
According to reports, the host in question is Stephen Mulhern, 46, who is said to be mulling over the offer.
An insider told The Mirror: ‘Stephen is the perfect choice. Not only does he get on brilliantly with Holly, he is relaxed and fun which sits well with a show like Dancing on Ice.’
Holly and Phil first presented Dancing On Ice together in 2006(Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Phil quit the show after admitting to lying about an affair with a runner(Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Phil also resigned from all his other ITV projects (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
An ITV spokesperson did not address the claims but told Metro.co.uk: ‘We will be confirming details about Dancing on Ice 2024 in due course.’
It would not be the first time Stephen has presented alongside Holly, having both hosted kids’ TV show Saturday Showdown.
The Wylde Moon star also regularly featured on his magic show Tricky TV to assist with his tricks.
Stephen also has links to Dancing On Ice as he formerly presented its ITV2 spinoff show, Defrotested, from 2006 until 2007.
Stephen is reportedly set to sign the contact (Picture: WireImage)
Stephen and Holly at the launch of kids’ channel CITV in 2006(Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
The TV personality appears to be in demand among executives as he was recently unveiled as the new host of the rebooted game show Deal Or No Deal.
Holly, meanwhile, has reportedly not spoken to Phil since he admitted to lying about the affair, which came after reports they were ‘barely speaking’ and their relationship had cooled behind the scenes for This Morning.
The mum-of-three later admitted she was ‘shaken, troubled, let down’ and ‘full of questions’ and has now left the ITV show for a summer break, after which she is expected to return.
Phil issued an apology to Holly in his first statement addressing the scandal publicly.
He said: ‘I’ve lost my best friend. I let her down (Holly). I let that entire show down. I let the viewers down.’
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‘Holly did not know (about the romance). And she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say, “I am so, so sorry that I lied to you,”’ he added to The Sun
Metro.co.uk has contacted Stephen and ITV’s reps for comment.
Dancing On Ice is expected to return to ITV in January 2024.
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