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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Jasmine Allday

Dancing On Ice fans want Stephen Mulhern as permanent host as Phillip Schofield isolates

Dancing On Ice fans are desperate for Stephen Mulhern to be made a permanent host on the ITV show.

The skating show returned to screens on Sunday night, with presenter Stephen stepping in to host alongside Holly Willoughby as usual presenter Phillip Schofield has been forced to miss the show after testing positive for Covid.

As Stephen made his debut on the ITV show tonight alongside Holly, fans called for him to be made a permanent addition to the ITV skating show, as the remaining celebrities took to the ice once again.

Taking to Twitter, some praised Stephen as a "great host" and "much more fun".

Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby presented the show together tonight (ITV)

One wrote: "Can Stephen Mulhern be a permanent replacement please? #DancingOnIce."

"Stephen Mulhern needs a big prime time show! Loving him already. #DancingOnIce .," a second added, as a third penned: "I reckon Stephen Mulhern, should present #DancingOnIce , every week! He's a right laugh!"

A fourth shared: "Can Stephen Mulhern permanently replace Philip Schofield #DancingOnIce."

"Loving Stephen Mulhern on program. More fun. You can sense crowd's excitement," a fifth wrote.

However, some viewers admitted they were missing Phil as they praised Stephen for hosting the show.

Stephen replaces usual host Phillip Schofield (ITV)

"I do love Phil, but can we have more of Stephen on TV please! #DancingOnIce," one viewer wrote.

A second added: "I wasn't looking forward to #dancingonice without Phillip, but Stephen is doing a brilliant job!"

Phillip admitted he was "devastated" to not be on Dancing On Ice this weekend, as he updated his fans on his health woes earlier in the week. Sharing his positive Covid tests, he wished Stephen the best.

Phil and Holly usually present the show together (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"Did two tests to be absolutely sure," he wrote alongside a photo of his lateral flows as he sent his support to his friend and replacement, "Sorry Dancing On Ice, have an amazing show. Stephen Mulhern, it'll be so fun."

In a statement, Stephen admitted it was "big shoes to fill" as he prepared for the role.

"I’m very much looking forward to being back hosting alongside my good friend Holly this weekend. It’s big shoes to fill and I’m wishing Phillip a speedy recovery," he shared in a statement released by ITV, "I’m a big fan of Dancing on Ice and for one night only I’m thrilled to be rink side watching the action unfold. It’s going to be unbelievable!"

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