ITV bosses are said to be wanting Holly Willoughby to literally get her skates on and decide if she will return to host Dancing on Ice within the next two weeks.
Holly, 42, has rumored to have told friends that she is keen to present the celebrity ice skating show, which will air again in January.
But executives at ITV are left in fear that their number one target may have got cold feet over the on the idea of returning to live telly.
Sources close to the former This Morning presenter say that Holly is suffering a ‘crisis of confidence’ over her comeback.
She has not appeared on TV since she quit breakfast show, This Morning in October following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
ITV bosses want Holly Willoughby to get her skates on and decide if she will host Dancing on Ice within the next two weeks.
Sources say Holly is suffering a ‘crisis of confidence’ over her comeback to television
If Holly ultimately decides against returning to the show, which has been on air since 2006, it would force ITV to find an entirely new line up for the fan-favorite celebrity romp.
Phillip Schofield – who quit ITV in May after admitting he lied about an affair with a male colleague – has been replaced by Stephen Mulhern.
Recent I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! contestant Josie Gibson, 38, and singer Rochelle Humes, 34 – who have both been making appearances as guest hosts of This Morning since Holly left – are thought to be in the running to replace her permanently.
A source at ITV said: ‘Holly is very much our first choice, but we’re fast approaching the point where we need to know if she will be back.
‘There are almost no requirements on the host before the shows begin, but we will need to sort out a replacement if she isn’t returning.
‘We have been very anxious to not put pressure on her as she was really rocked by the alleged kidnap plot.
‘But time is ticking and we really need to know by the end of this month,’ they told the Sunday Mirror.
A second source claimed: ‘Holly is really on the fence about this decision, and has been going back and forth over it for some time.
‘She does love the show, but is having a real crisis of confidence and has barely been seen out since she left This Morning.
‘She’s spending all her time at home with her family – to go back to prime time TV seems a big step. She is not sure she’s ready.’
A source close to Holly said that the presenter she has not been given a formal deadline to make her decision by ITV.
A man who denies the alleged kidnap and murder plot is due to stand trial in June.
