Holly Willoughby is 'rethinking her understated Queen of daytime TV image' with return of Dancing On Ice which could 'relaunch her career'
Holly Willoughby is 'rethinking her understated Queen of daytime TV image' and could soon host her own show as a solo star, it has been claimed.
The presenter, 42, returned to Dancing On Ice on Sunday night after taking a TV break last October in the wake of an alleged kidnap and murder plot.
She quit her This Morning role after the plot came to light, just a few months after Phillip Schofield left as her co-host after his affair with a younger showrunner was exposed.
But when she returned to the rink, an expert said The sunthat she looked “more mature” and could “relaunch her career” with a move to her own solo show in the future.
She also opted for a very sexy silver dress look, in contrast to her more casual ensembles on This Morning.
Holly Willoughby is 'rethinking her understated Queen of daytime TV image' and could soon host her own show as a solo star, it is claimed (seen left on Sunday's Dancing On Ice and right on This Morning last September)
The presenter, 42, returned to Dancing On Ice on Sunday night with new co-host Stephen Mulhern after taking a break from TV last October in the wake of an alleged kidnap and murder plot
Expert Nick Ede told the publication: 'Having her back on our screens makes her a leading broadcaster in Britain. It felt like it was her show: she owned the rink.
“She's not the queen of daytime television, it seems like she's the queen of primetime. It felt like Holly had matured somehow and I can see her doing more serious things now.
'She has always been able to do light entertainment with serious topics on This Morning and I can now see her doing documentaries or big sit-down interviews with stars, which would be really compelling viewing.'
They added that she moved away from the “giggling Disney princess version of Holly” as she led the presenting duo with confidence.
It comes as it was revealed Dancing On Ice suffered its lowest ever viewing figures as presenter Holly made her TV comeback.
The Sunday night show, which saw stars including Amber Davies and Ricky Hatton take to the ice, had a viewing figure of just 3.6 million at launch.
For comparison, the launch was watched by 4.1 million people in 2023 and 4.3 million in 2022. The 2021 opening show had 5.4 million viewers, while in 2020 it was 5.1 million.
It marked a return to television for Holly, who has been absent from screens since leaving This Morning in October after 14 years on the sofa.
When she returned to the rink, an expert told The Sun she looked “more mature” and could “relaunch her career” with a move to her own solo show in the future.
She also opted for a very sexy silver dress look, in contrast to her more casual ensembles on This Morning
The program also reunited the TV star with Stephen Mulhern, who has replaced Phillip as the skating show host.
She previously worked with Stephen on Saturday morning children's show Ministry Of Mayhem twenty years ago.
The show was later retitled Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown.
Stephen, 46, briefly presented the show in 2022 after Phillip tested positive for Covid-19.
Ahead of the show, Holly posted on Instagram: “Let's do this one sequin at a time.”
On Sunday, the series kicked off with an opening performance by the professional skaters and the introduction of the new celebrity participants.
Holly, who wore a glittery silver dress, said: “To the greatest show on the ice, and let's hear it for the amazing cast of 2024. Let me extend a warm welcome to Stephen Mulhern.”
The episode saw Ricky placed in next week's skate-off after a boxing-inspired performance failed to excite the judges or the TV audience.
The 45-year-old former world champion boxer received 12.5 points from the jury and could face elimination next week after a public vote.
Ricky, dressed in a boxing outfit, wore knee pads as he did mini punches and press-ups on the ice to Bill Conti's Rocky movie theme Gonna Fly Now with his professional skating partner Robin Johnstone.
Judge Ashley Banjo called the routine “iconic” and Hatton could be proud of the crowd's reaction.
She quit her This Morning role after the plot came to light, just a few months after Phillip Schofield left as her co-host after his affair with a younger showrunner was exposed.
Topping the judges' leaderboard was former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, who scored 26.5 points with partner Amani Fancy.
His energetic performance to Kings Of Leon's Sex On Fire, featuring a pirouette movement, was called 'absolutely brilliant' by judge Oti Mabuse.
Love Island winner and West End star Davies, Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi, Olympian Greg Rutherford and S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt also performed at the launch show.
Next week, radio presenter Adele Roberts, EastEnders star Ricky Norwood, actress Claire Sweeney, reality TV personality Miles Nazaire, comedian and writer Lou Sanders, and former ski jumper Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards will compete against each other for the first time.