Josie Gibson is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Holly Willoughby as host of Dancing On Ice.
ITV bosses are said to believe the I’m A Celebrity star would make a good replacement for Holly after she went down a hit with viewers in the jungle.
Bosses are said to be worried Holly may have got ‘cold feet’ about returning to TV since she left This Morning in October following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
A source told The Sun: ‘Josie’s stint in the jungle shows she has the perfect blend of humility, confidence, humour and unflappability.
‘And she’s already proved she’s able to handle live TV during her time as a co-host on This Morning where she’s also developed quite a following among viewers.
Josie Gibson is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Holly Willoughby as host of Dancing On Ice
ITV bosses are said to believe the I’m A Celebrity star would make a good replacement for Holly after she went down a hit with viewers in the jungle
‘TV are still hoping Holly will sign up. But the situation remains up in the air and nervous producers are now counting down to the start in days rather than weeks.’
The insider added that there are other presenters who could potentially replace Holly but Josie is the current stand out.
Other names thought to be in the running include Josie’s This Morning co-star Rochelle Humes and Loose Women star Christine Lampard.
MailOnline has contacted representatives of Dancing On Ice for comment.
Holly 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.
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.
A source said: ‘Josie’s stint in the jungle shows she has the perfect blend of humility, confidence, humour and unflappability’
Bosses are said to be worried Holly may have got ‘cold feet’ about returning to TV since she left This Morning in October
Phillip Schofield – who quit ITV in May after admitting he lied about an affair with a male colleague – has been replaced by Stephen Mulhern.
A source told The Sunday Mirror: ‘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.’
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.
