Next Dancing On Ice Hosts Odds: Stephen Mulhern Hot Favourite To Join Holly
Last Updated
: 4 Aug 2023
Holly Willoughby is expected to front Dancing on Ice once again early next year, despite her regular co-host Phillip Schofield quitting the channel.
Speculation has been rife on betting sites about who might replace him - and her former co-star Stephen Mulhern is very much the hot favourite to join Holly on the ice-skating show.
Phillip left ITV completely earlier this year after he admitted to lying about having an affair with a younger ITV employee, and Stephen now appears to be ITV bosses' number one replacement.
An insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Stephen is the perfect choice. Not only does he get on brilliantly with Holly, he is relaxed and fun which sits well with a show like Dancing on Ice."
Should Stephen miss out, several other experienced TV presenters could be in the running, including a quartet Holly works with on This Morning in the shape of Dermot O'Leary, Alison Hammond, Rochelle Humes and Josie Gibson.
Stephen Odds-On For Ice Role
It was reported in June by MailOnline that Holly is also expected to "have a say in her new co-host" ahead of the final decision, and that could work in Stephen's favour.
He is 1/2 favourite on new betting sites to replace Phillip, who Holly worked with on the show for 12 series.
But should Stephen get the green light there will be no concerns about on-screen chemistry.
The pair co-hosted Holly and Stephen's Saturday Showdown on CITV from 2004 to 2006, and Stephen effectively did a Dancing on Ice screen test when he filled in for Covid-stricken Phillip in February 2022, alongside Holly.
But should Stephen - who is confirmed to be presenting an upcoming Deal or No Deal reboot - miss out, then Dermot could be the perfect replacement.
The 6/4 shot is no stranger to weekend prime-time gigs after fronting The X Factor on and off from 2007 to 2018, and he has co-hosted This Morning with Holly recently.
Alison V Dermot
If Dancing on Ice bosses are aiming to replicate the successful all-female partnership of Strictly Come Dancing co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, then that could pave the way for Alison Hammond to join Holly.
Like Dermot - who she co-hosts This Morning with every Friday - Alison is no stranger to presenting with Holly on the ITV brunchtime show.
She is just 2/1 on specials betting sites to land the Dancing on Ice job, narrowly ahead of fellow This Morning presenter Rochelle Humes, who is the 5/2 fourth favourite.
It also wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Alison's best mate and fellow This Morning star Josie Gibson land the prime-time position.
Josie's career has gone from strength to strength since she joined This Morning as a roving reporter.
She now regularly stands in as a presenter on the programme and has done so alongside Holly on several occasions.
The 3/1 available on former Big Brother winner Josie could be a shrewd punt.
Christine To Return?
However, ITV bosses may look for some ice experience when picking their next co-host, and that could see the return of Christine Lampard.
She co-hosted the show alongside Phillip in Holly's absence from 2012 to 2014, and the star could be worth a go at 6/1.
Ben Shephard might also have unfinished business on the programme. The Good Morning Britain presenter, who is 11/2, co-hosted spin-off show Dancing on Ice: Friday with Coleen Nolan for just one series.
However, Britain's Got Talent winner Jordan Banjo and BGT judge Alesha Dixon look more likely, with both at 4/1 with betting apps to join Holly on Dancing on Ice.
Of the more unlikely replacements for Phillip, Paddy McGuinness could get the nod. He previously worked alongside Holly when they were both captains on Celebrity Juice, though he departed the show after one series.
Top Gear co-host Paddy is 15/2 to take on the Dancing on Ice role, while his presenter pal Vernon Kay is 8/1.
Should ITV want to take a chance on someone with slightly less experience, then former Dancing on Ice competitor Kem Cetinay might have a chance at 9/1.
The ex-Love Island star has some Dancing on Ice presenting experience, which could prove valuable, after he was backstage correspondent on the show in series 11 and 12.
What's more, Rylan Clark (12/1) and Rochelle's husband Marvin Humes (16/1) have both presented on This Morning in the past, but they are very much outsiders to join Holly on Dancing on Ice.
* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.
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