Phillip Schofield's Dancing on Ice replacement 'lined up' as odds slashed on popular presenter
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield used to host Dancing on Ice together
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Phillip Schofield's ties with ITV were severed earlier this year after he admitted to lying to This Morning bosses about a relationship with a young runner.
Since his departure from the network, This Morning has welcomed Holly Willoughby back alongside a rotating roster of presenters by her side.
Dancing on Ice, however, won't be returning until early 2024, leaving ITV with a decision to make in the coming months.
However, according to reports, the broadcaster may already have its man in the form of Stephen Mulhern.
Mulhern is a familiar face on ITV thanks to his stints on Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Catchphrase and In For A Penny.
Now, an insider told The Mirror: "Stephen is the perfect choice.
Stephen Mulhern has emerged as a frontrunner to replace Schofield
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"Not only does he get on brilliantly with Holly, he is relaxed and fun which sits well with a show like Dancing on Ice.”
An ITV spokesperson told GB News: "We will be confirming details about Dancing on Ice 2024 in due course."
Reports of Mulhern stepping into the spot left vacant by Schofield comes after Willoughby made the decision to stay on as part of the ice skating competition.
Back in June, an ITV insider told Mail Online: "Holly wants to stay on at Dancing On Ice, she's made that clear to all concerned and everyone at the network is absolutely delighted."
They haven't discussed contracts yet, as that will take place after the summer as always, but she's indicated it will be business as usual.
"There have been all kinds of rumours that she is to leave but she loves the programme and has a long history with it.
"She will have a say in her new co-host, not the final decision, but Holly will be consulted," the source added.
Mulhern's odds with bookmakers have now been slashed to odds-on following the insider's insight.
Gambling.com spokesperson Marc Sibbons exclusively told GB News: "People across the country have been wondering what Britain’s best online betting sites have to say when it comes to replacing Phillip Schofield on one of ITV’s biggest shows, and according to the betting experts here at Gambling.com it could very much be a case of 'Say what you see' as Catchphrase presenter, Stephen Mulhern, is the clear favourite to be 'Dancing on Ice' as the show’s new presenter.
“Mulhern has been made the potential 1/2 favourite to replace Schofield and reunite with Britain’s on-screen sweetheart, Holly Willoughby – that equates to a very likely probability of 66.7% of happening in reality, which when it comes to the betting are very strong odds.
"There should be no issue with on-screen chemistry as the pair are no strangers to presenting together, after co-hosting Holly and Stephen's Saturday Showdown on CITV from 2004 to 2006.
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Phillip Schofield left ITV earlier this year
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“Stephen has also effectively done a Dancing on Ice screen test after he filled in for Covid-stricken Phillip in February 2022, alongside Holly – so with all this considered, betting experts don’t see Stephen slipping up when it comes to taking one of the most coveted roles on British TV.”
Elsewhere in the market, This Morning stars Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond are also in the frame to join Willoughby with odds of 6/4 and 2/1 respectively.
Meanwhile, Rochelle Humes closely follows the pack with odds of 5/2 while another This Morning favourite in Josie Gibson is priced at 3/1.
Other names in the running but ranked as outsiders include Alesha Dixon, Jordan Banjo, Ben Shephard, Paddy McGuinness, Kem Cetinay, Vernon Kay, Rylan Clark and Marvin Humes.
Schofield and Willoughby were the face of Dancing on Ice for 12 series overall.
Willoughby missed out on a few runs of the competition when she was the face of the BBC's The Voice, with Christine Lampard stepping in.
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