Newlyweds Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash are reportedly being lined up as potential future hosts of ITV's daytime magazine show This Morning. It comes amid the fall-out of a row over current hosts Holly Willoughby and Phil Schofield appearing in Westminster Hall while the Queen was lying in state.
ITV says the pair were on their way to the media gallery in the hall and were not 'jumping the queue' to walk past the Queen's coffin as thousands of people queued for hours outside. 75,000 people have signed a petition calling for This Morning to sack Phil and Holly.
A source told Closer magazine: "The fallout from ‘queue-gate’ has only heightened ongoing concerns and reports that Holly and Phil’s time may be drawing to an end on This Morning.”
Former X Factor singer Stacey Solomon has proved a fan favourite on Loose Women as well as on I'm A Celebrity and Gogglebox.
Ex EastEnders actor Joe Swash has presenting experience with I'm A Celebrity and is a hit alongside Stacey on Gogglebox, while appearing on everything from The Jump to Celebrity Masterchef.
The source said Stacey has been in talks with ITV bosses and said: "This Morning bosses ... made clear they saw a role for both her and Joe to work as part of the programme in the future."
The insider said ITV bosses are adamant Holly and Phil will not be sacked, but fear one or both could quit. They added: "ITV bosses have long been planning for what life looks like after Phil and Holly, because they know nothing lasts forever on TV."
They said: “TV producers think [Stacey and Joe] eventually could be the future of the show, and a great potential replacement for when the moment arrives for Holly and Phil to hand over their This Morning crowns.”
