Inside Holly Willoughby’s big TV comeback: How showstopper dresses, Stephen Mulhern and a pact to ‘bring back the fun’ helped presenter ease back into public life

As TV resurrections go it doesn’t get much bigger. 

Indeed, after a tumultuous 12-months, the lights, the cameras and the action returned to Holly Willoughby‘s professional life on Sunday as she settled back into her annual hosting role on Dancing On Ice. 

It was almost like she’d never been away, except of course she has, having withdrawn from public life last October in the wake of an alleged kidnap and murder plot. 

Deeply traumatised, Willoughby was taken into protective custody on October 5, immediately relinquished her treasured presenting role on This Morning – a position she held for 14-years – and disappeared from view, with some speculating whether she would ever return to mainstream TV. 

But on Sunday evening she was back, having lost none of her usual sparkle and without a single reference to her three month absence, as her long-running celebrity talent show returned for its sixteenth series. 

It was about as seamless as it gets, but how it did it all play out? MailOnline goes behind-the-scenes for a closer look.  

1.  THE SHOWSTOPPER DRESS 

Dancing On Ice just wouldn’t be Dancing On Ice without a pre-show fashion update from its presenter, and Willoughby wasted no time in picking up where she left off by revealing her launch night dress with Instagram followers. 

The presenter, who co-hosted alongside old children’s TV colleague Stephen Mulhern, looked incredible in a dazzling silver strappy dress, no doubt the first of many showstopper outfits to be worn by fashion conscious Willoughby. 

Taking to Instagram exactly one hour before the ITV skating show aired, Willoughby captioned the post: ‘Let’s do this one sequin at a time’.

The presenter looked happy and relaxed ahead of her return and showed no sign of pressure ahead of her return to the spotlight  – so far so good. 

2. THE CELEBRITY SUPPORT 

With cameras ready to roll, numerous celebrity friends were on hand to give the returning presenter some much-needed moral support. 

Indeed, fellow industry pals were quick to the comments on her latest look ahead of the series sixteen launch. 

Taking to Instagram, Abbey Clancy wrote: ‘Shine bright gorgeous’.

While All Saints star Nicole Appleton added: ‘There she is!! You look stunning!! Can’t wait!’

Presenter Kelly Brook wrote: ‘Welcome Back Beauty!! We missed you.’ 

Elsewhere former Oasis star Andy Bell, a close friend of the presenter, posted: ‘Go on Holly.’ 

Actress and DJ Patsy Palmer was also on hand to offer support, adding: ‘Good luck beautiful.’ 

Former This Morning colleague Dr. Zoe Williams posted a love heart emoji, adding: ‘Wowsers trousers lady. Stunning.’ 

TV chef John Torode, another old colleague, wrote: ‘Have the best time,’ while The Only Way Is Essex star Ferne McCann wrote: ‘You’re amazing.’ 

Rounding off the comments, Holly’s older sister Zoe was right behind the presenter as she made her return, adding: ‘Let’s go, you goddess in silver sequins! Love you.’ 

3.  THE NEW CO-HOST 

With Phillip Schofield gone, Willoughby was supported by close friend Stephen Mulhern – wisely selected by ITV producers as her new co-host. 

The pair share plenty of history having started their TV careers on slapstick kids show Ministry Of Mayhem in 2004, a show that eventually evolved into Holly And Stephen’s Saturday Showdown. 

Fortunately there wasn’t a custard pie or a bucket of gunge in sight as a suited and booted Mulhern capably filled Schofield’s shoes. 

The presenter signed up for the role after Schofield stepped down from all on-screen appointments following his departure from This Morning, an acrimonious parting of ways prompted by his affair with a younger male colleague. 

Introducing her new co-host, Willoughby announced ‘We are off!’, before adding: ‘And also can we just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern!’

Fans of the show took to social media to praise the pair, with many crediting Mulhern for bringing ‘fresh energy’ and injecting ‘some real fun’ into the episode.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Enjoyed Stephen Mulhern as a presenter on #DancingOnIce alongside Holly. Brought some fresh energy to the show!’

While someone else shared: ‘Great to see Holly back and the gift that keeps on giving the fantastic Stephen Mulheron. He’s brought more life back into the presenting of this show than ever before.’

‘For the first time in years I’ve actually enjoyed #DancingOnIce! Stephen and Holly work well together and some of the skaters have real potential,’ posted someone else.

While another viewer wrote: ‘Stephen and Holly have been amazing. Injected some real fun, weekend light entertainment vibes back into the show.’

4.  THE RICKY HATTON MOMENT 

Willoughby’s comeback was punctuated by occasional moments of hilarity, largely thanks to the presence of former boxer Ricky Hatton. 

Viewers were left in hysterics after the celebrity contestant appeared to punch Mulhern during Sunday’s launch. 

During one segment, Hatton – who will take part in next week’s skate-off – was enlisted in holding a microphone, only to be made the butt of the joke as Mulhern pulled faces for the camera.

‘Please just hit him,’ Willoughby quipped, and the boxer did just that, sending the TV personality flying off his feet.

Seemingly shocked, the returning presenter gasped and raised her hands to her mouth as Hatton checked on Mulhern, who was sprawled on the floor off-camera.

Taking to X, , one viewer wrote: ‘Hahahaha I have to sy well done Ricky Hatton. Laughing so hard over that punch’.

While a second joked: ‘Mulhern defo needed that punch by Hatton’.

A third added: ‘Stephen is going to sue Ricky Hatton for that punch’.

5. BRINGING BACK THE FUN 

According to insiders, the presenter’s triumphant appearance on the skating show was fuelled by a pact to ‘bring back the fun’ with her new co-host Mulhern from their children’s TV presenting days.

A source told The Sun: ‘Holly thrives on live telly and no more so than in those madcap days splurging slime and reacting to live chaos when she and Stephen first began on Ministry of Mayhem.

‘They’ve talked about finding that same fun tone for Dancing on Ice and Holly sees this as a great way to embrace this big moment.

‘This is incredibly important to her but they both think recapturing the free-and-easy tone of their early days is the way to go. She wants to lean on the strength of their past as she looks to the future.’

6. THE FAN REACTION 

Overall it was a triumphant return, with fans collectively thrilled to see the TV sensation ‘be back where she belongs’ and presenting again. 

Many viewers took to X throughout the show to comment on Willoughby’s beauty, grace and bravery for returning to the limelight.

One wrote: ‘Wow. I’ve missed this face,’ while a second added: ‘@DancingOnIce where she belongs. Lovely to see Holly back on TV’.

Elsewhere a third delighted fan wrote: ‘It’s so nice to see Holly looking so well. I’m glad to see her back!’

While a fourth added: ‘Loving Dancing On Ice. Lovely to see Holly again!’

Another pleased fan wrote: ‘Holly Willoughby is looking SENSATIONAL.’ 

Commenting on her return, a sixth viewer summed up the general feeling on Sunday night, posting: ‘Welcome back Holly to Dancing On Ice’.