Dancing On Ice bosses are hoping to persuade Holly Willoughby to end her TV exile by offering the former This Morning star a big money deal to co-host the show.
Producers are desperate for Holly, 42, to make a spectacular comeback to television by fronting Dancing On Ice alongside close friend Stephen Mulhern, 46, who they have confirmed will be presenting the series but not on his own.
The mother-of-three stood down from all her hosting duties in October after a man was arrested and charged with an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the presenter, resulting in Holly’s decision to leave This Morning after 14 years.
But ITV commissioners are trying to tempt Holly back to the small screen with an increased salary and have been in talks for weeks over how to make her feel comfortable enough to return to work after suffering such a traumatic ordeal.
In comes after it was revealed that Holly has ‘paused’ her £1million deal with Marks & Spencer because she remains ‘fearful’ of her safety.
Dancing On Ice bosses are hoping to persuade Holly Willoughby to end her TV exile by offering the former This Morning star a big money deal to co-host the show
Producers are desperate for Holly to make a spectacular comeback to television by fronting Dancing On Ice alongside close friend Stephen Mulhern (pictured in February 2022)
Stephen has replaced Phillip Schofield as Dancing On Ice host after the former presenter was sacked from all his ITV work commitments in May
A TV 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 that they can convince her to come back to work in the New Year because they feel that the relationship between her and Stephen is exactly what the series needs.
‘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’re 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.’
In October, Stephen confirmed to MailOnline that he was in talks to replace Phillip Schofield after the former This Morning and Dancing On Ice host was sacked by the broadcaster.
ITV bosses had hoped that he and Holly could co-present the skating show, which returns to screens with a new cast of celebrities in January.
But Holly was forced to step down from her work commitments following the arrest of shopping centre security officer Gavin Plumb, who was charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap, a claim he denies.
Her absence from the channel has left ITV in crisis over who will present Dancing On Ice, which they have always seen as a show fronted by two hosts.
ITV bosses had hoped that Stephen and Holly could co-present the dance show, which returns to screens with a new cast of celebrities in January
Stephen previously hosted Dancing On Ice with Holly when Phil was off sick in 2022 and said it was ‘great’ working with his friend again
A source told the Mail on Sunday that Holly is ‘prioritising’ her family and is still ‘traumatised’ following recent events (pictured in October)
Stephen previously hosted Dancing On Ice with Holly when Phil was off sick in 2022 and said it was ‘great’ working with his friend again.
After announcing that she was stepping down from This Morning, Holly has refrained from attending red carpet events and posting on social media.
Holly’s hiatus has also seen the star ‘pause’ her collaborative work with retailer Marks & Spencer and seven-figure deal with beauty brand L’Oréal.
A source told the Mail on Sunday that Holly is ‘prioritising’ her family and is still ‘traumatised’ following recent events.
