Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on her TV comeback just days ahead of her return to screens on Dancing On Ice – following her This Morning exit
Holly Willoughby has broken her silence on her TV comeback, just days before she returns to the screens of Dancing On Ice.
The TV presenter, 42, will return to the screen after a two-month hiatus for the ITV skating competition launch show on Sunday, alongside her new co-host Stephen Mulhern.
MailOnline exclusively revealed last month that Holly would return to the show after quitting This Morning following an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her.
Now Holly has broken her silence on her TV comeback as she took to Instagram to share a brand new post as she prepares for her first show back.
She shared a photo of the Dancing On Ice launch show script as she confirmed she was back working on the show and shared her excitement for the 2024 series.
Holly Willoughby has broken her silence after it was revealed she would be making her TV comeback on Dancing On Ice
Following her two-month TV absence, Holly took to Instagram to share a photo of the Dancing On Ice launch show script as she shared her excitement for the 2024 series.
Alongside the photo, apparently taken at her home, Holly wrote: “And so it begins…,” alongside an emoji of an ice skate and a smiling face.
Holly will present the new series alongside Stephen, who takes over for Phillip Schofield after he was sacked by ITV.
The new cast gathered for a photocall event earlier this week, where they took official photos and took part in interviews, but Holly was not present.
The Mirror subsequently reported this that Holly – who was at the shoot last year – skipped the photocall to focus on rehearsals with her new co-host Stephen.
A source told the publication of this year’s event: ‘Holly doesn’t want any distractions at the moment so she wasn’t at the photo shoot.
“And for her, it’s more about rehearsals and getting the series off to a good start with a new co-host.
‘She puts all her energy into the show. Holly is a true professional and as always she will put her heart and soul into the series with Stephen.”
Although she wasn’t at the group photocall, the first official photos of new co-hosts Holly and Stephen have been revealed.
The TV presenter, 42, will return to the screen for the ITV skating competition launch show on Sunday after a two-month hiatus, alongside her new co-host Stephen Mulhern
MailOnline exclusively revealed last month that Holly would return to the show after quitting This Morning following an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her
The Mail on Sunday revealed she met Stephen, 46, two weeks earlier to take the photos – just days after making her first public outing since early October, when a former Essex security guard was accused of contacting a hitman in the USA to kidnap and kill her.
It is understood she and Stephen did not meet the show’s judges, including Olympic gold medalists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, but instead had their own private shoot in a London studio.
A friend said: ‘It was quite an emotional day, it felt like the start of a routine after months of being at home and disconnected from the outside world.
‘But Holly has always loved wearing dreamy princess-style dresses on Dancing On Ice, it was always her time to really dress up.’
It was a doubly special reunion with Stephen, ITV’s popular and long-serving star presenting the reboot of Deal Or No Deal and Catchphrase, because he was by her side when she got her first big break on TV almost two decades ago.
The pair hosted ITV morning children’s shows Ministry Of Mayhem and Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown in their 20s and have had an unbreakable bond ever since.
Her new co-host Stephen was by her side when she got her big break on TV almost 20 years ago, co-hosting children’s show Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown (pictured)
Stephen takes Phillip Schofield’s place on Dancing On Ice after years of co-hosting the show with Holly before being fired by ITV
‘It really made a difference to Holly’s mentality to know that Stephen would be with her all the time. It really made her smile,” the friend added.
‘For years Phil was with her and suddenly he was gone. To be working with Stephen again at such a poignant time in her career is special for Holly.
‘Whether she returned to Dancing On Ice was a dilemma for Holly, some gentle persuasion from Stephen certainly helped seal the deal.’
On Sunday at 6.30pm, Holly will co-host the program – which includes Love Island’s Amber Davies, Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards and former Brookside actress Claire Sweeney, from ITV’s studio at the old RAF base in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire.
DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS OF 2024
RICKY HATTON
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: Former professional boxer
WHAT DID HE SAY? “If I can control my nerves in the boxing ring, I should also be able to control my nerves on the ice rink.”
HANNA SPEARRITT
AGE: 42
PROFESSION: SINGER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I’m really excited about learning a new skill. It’s so easy to live a comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very attractive.’
GREG RUTHERFORD
AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Athlete
WHAT DID HE SAY? “I like a challenge and I needed a reason to start doing things again and here we are. I want to do something that has never been done before, that’s my goal.’
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards
AGE: 59
PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKIUMPER
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘Dancing on Ice is a show I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a challenge I think I’ll enjoy!’
RICKY NORWOOD
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: EastEnders star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “It comes at such a great time in life. I can’t skate at all! No rehearsals yet, I just had physiotherapy to strengthen the body.’
RIAN THOMAS
AGE: 39
PROFESSION: Corrie star
WHAT DID HE SAY? “Everyone keeps asking me, ‘Are you doing it?’ I told everyone!’
CLAIRE SWEENEY
AGE: 52
PROFESSION: ACTRESS
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I am stepping into the unknown here. I don’t know how I’ll feel. But I’m very excited.’
AMBER DAVIES
AGE: 26
PROFESSION: WEST END STAR
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I would definitely say I’m an adrenaline junkie, but I’m getting more nervous as I get older and I hope I can keep them in check.”
MILES NAZAIRE
AGE: 27
PROFESSION: REALITY STAR
WHAT DID HE SAY? ‘I’ve always loved to dance, but usually it’s on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.’
NICE SANDERS
AGE: 37
PROFESSION: COMEDIAN
WHAT DID SHE SAY? “I’m nervous about cracking my head open or just hitting the old head. I can’t afford to lose any more brain cells.’
ADELE ROBERTS
AGE: 44
PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘It’s ‘putting it on ice’ for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there because most of the time I hide.”
ROXY SHAHIDI
AGE: 40
PROFESSION: Emmerdale star
WHAT DID SHE SAY? ‘I can’t skate. I haven’t actually said anything to anyone, but mainly because I’m so nervous about it!’