Holly Willoughby is set to helm This Morning alongside a rotation of co-presenters as ITV bosses decide against replacing Phillip Schofield, according to a new report.
It has been claimed that the 42-year-old will be the only permanent fixture on the Monday to Thursday instalments and will be joined “mostly” by Josie Gibson, 38, and Craig Doyle, 52.
Meanwhile, Friday show hosts Alison Hammond, 48, and Dermot O’Leary, 50, will also reportedly join the Wylde Moon founder “sporadically.”
An ITV source told the Daily Mail: “The idea of finding the next Phil to sit next to Holly has been disregarded by This Morning’s bosses. It will be Holly along with whichever rotating presenter is selected to join her. It will essentially be Holly’s show.
“Bosses hope that they can put all of the Schofield scandal behind them and start concentrating on the content of the show rather than the twosome presenting it. At least this way there won’t be any falling out.
“Holly is so excited about the plan. She loves Josie, Craig, Alison and Dermot. It’s a happy ship and she made the decision not to quit but instead to return and keep things going while being at the helm. Holly is absolutely determined to head up the challenge to make the show a success again.”
The Standard has contacted Holly Willoughby’s rep and an ITV spokesperson for comment.
The report comes amid speculation that Willoughby was set to renew her contract on the ITV mid-morning stalwart for a higher salary than the £700,000 a year she is believed to be currently paid by the broadcaster.
The spot alongside the Dancing on Ice host has remained vacant since Phillip Schofield resigned from ITV after confessing to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a show runner.
In light of the 61-year-old’s exit, Willoughby has since predominantly presented alongside Irish host Craig Doyle, who fans have asked ITV to become Schofield’s full-time replacement.
