The BBC have their sights set on This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby, it has been reported.
According to The Mirror, top executives are plotting new shows for the presenter and one chief 'contacted her directly' within the last few days.
Over the last few weeks, This Morning has been in the headlines following Phillip Schofield's confession of an affair with a young colleague from the show.
Holly is said to have built up a good relationship with BBC bosses after presenting ice challenge show Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof last year.
Their bid to secure Holly on the channel comes following revelations that an external investigation would probe safeguarding at ITV in the wake of Phillip’s affair.
The latest move for Holly, who is set to return to the ITV show on Monday with Josie Gibson, came after Beeb bosses held high-level talks about projects they could offer her.
A source said yesterday: “Holly has had a good relationship and an open dialogue with BBC bosses since she hosted Freeze the Fear.
“Ever since then they have been keen to sign her up for another project and have bent over backwards to offer her other opportunities.
“So the ongoing drama at ITV has played into their hands.
“The bosses have had conversations this week about what they could offer her going forward.
“And one executive reached out to her directly earlier in the week.
“Holly was still away on holiday at the time. But she really values her relationship with the BBC and the friendships she has built up there.”
Phillip announced that he was stepping back from This Morning last month. Later, he then quit ITV altogether after admitting to an affair with a male colleague more than 30 years his junior.
Holly's return to the show comes as the future of the show – and that of executives Carolyn McCall, Kevin Lygo, Emma Gormley and Martin Frizell – hangs in the balance, amid claims of a “culture of toxicity”. Frizell has denied the claims.
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