EXCLUSIVE: ITV are inundated with calls from agents putting their celeb clients forward to replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning – as bosses eye married couple to be next Richard and Judy
It is undoubtedly one of the most desirable jobs in television.
And just minutes after Holly Willoughby left the sofa on This Morning on Tuesday, the phone rang for bosses Emma Gormley and Kevin Ligo – with agents lining up their celebrity clients for the role.
Sources at ITV say names from news, sport and entertainment have been in contact as the search begins to find a replacement for Ms Willoughby.
There have also been pleas from presenters employed by the BBC who are keen to defect to the rival broadcaster.
Apart from having a prestigious job, stars are also aware that they then have the potential to build their own lucrative brands.
Who’s in the running? ITV bosses are reportedly considering replacing Holly Willoughby with a married couple such as Emma and Matt Willis
Candidates: Within minutes of Holly quitting, the phone was ringing for bosses Emma Gormley and Kevin Ligue – and agents were lining up their celebrity clients for the role
The This Morning presenter told MailOnline: ‘The phones didn’t stop ringing as television and radio personalities put their names forward to host the show.
“Every broadcaster, from the world of news, sports, entertainment, was in contact with the bosses. Agents have been in touch with ITV bosses to highlight their stars in the hope of taking the helm of the two-and-a-half-hour daytime show.
“This Morning has an incredibly loyal audience and has made household names out of its hosts over the past 35 years on air.” BBC bosses are nervous that some of their top talent could move to ITV as it is the golden ticket in television at the moment. So many previous stars, including Holly, have had lucrative commercial careers from their day jobs on the sofa.
“They’re only too aware that since she’s been on the sofa for two and a half hours every day, she’s started her own lifestyle brand.”
Ms Gormley, chief executive of the channel’s highly-rated ITV Living Room, has been tasked with finding a replacement for Ms Willoughby.
Apart from looking for some familiar faces, they are also open to some ‘surprise’ names to reboot the show in the new year.
Names such as Davina McCall, Amanda Holden and Graham Norton have been mentioned, but Ms Gormley won’t rule out radio presenters, new talent, influencers and even podcasters.
Also discussed are married couples such as Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch or Joel Dommett and wife Hannah or Emma Willis and her husband Matt.
Pair: Bosses are also considering married couple Abbie Clancy and Peter Crouch
Potential: Davina McCall has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Holly
Host: Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden is also being considered by bosses
Resignation: The host confirmed on Instagram that she ‘will not be returning’ to the show
The source added: ‘Bosses want to get it right so there won’t be any knee-jerk decisions, it’s the right call that the duo have the right chemistry to take the show into the next era of its 35-year run.’
Holly announced her departure this morning after 14 years in a shock statement posted on Instagram.
She wrote: “This is such a hard goodbye, you are amazing and I will forever be proud of what we have done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for your support.
“To every guest who sat on our sofa, thank you.” Most of all thanks to the wonderful viewers. You were so loyal, so supportive and the best company every day.
“It was an honor just to be a part of his story and I know there are many more chapters to this story.” Unfortunately, however, I now feel that I have to make this decision for myself and my family. I will miss you all very much.’