Producers of Dancing On Ice are attempting to entice Holly Willoughby back into the spotlight, offering the former This Morning host a handsome deal to co-host the show.
They want Holly, 42, to make a triumphant return to television with her close friend Stephen Mulhern, 46, who has been confirmed as a presenter but not as the series’ sole host.
Due to a frightening occurrence in which a man was arrested and charged with an alleged conspiracy to abduct and murder her, the mother-of-three stepped back from all hosting duties in October.
This resulted in Holly’s departure from This Morning after 14 years. Despite the horrific experience, ITV commissioners have been in weeks-long conversations to coax Holly back to the small screen, including a raise in income and scheming on how to ensure her comfort upon her return to work.
The campaign comes after it was revealed that Holly had ‘paused’ her £1 million deal with Marks & Spencer due to persistent safety concerns, which continue to influence her decisions.
‘Dancing On Ice will be presented by Stephen Mulhern and a co-host, but Holly is yet to formally agree,’ a TV insider informed MailOnline.
‘Bosses hope that they can convince her to come back to work in the New Year because they feel that the relationship between her and Stephen is exactly what the series needs. The situation is extremely sensitive due to everything that Holly has gone through in recent months and the channel is being careful not to put pressure on her decision, although they’re hoping that renegotiating her contract will help to close the deal.’
Stephen confirmed to MailOnline in October that he was in talks to replace Phillip Schofield, who was fired by the BBC after hosting This Morning and Dancing On Ice.
Phillip departed ITV after admitting to his affair with a much younger This Morning coworker.