A new frontrunner to take Holly Willoughby’s position on This Morning has thrown a surprise into the equation.
Holly has resigned down from the ITV show months after Phillip Schofield abruptly left amid allegations that he and Holly were scarcely communicating and following his surprising revelation that he had a ‘unwise but not criminal’ romance with a younger staffer.
After 14 years fronting This Morning, the 42-year-old announced her departure in a heartfelt statement, thanking viewers for being ‘loyal, so supportive, and the very best company every day.’
She continued: ‘Richard and Judy said “we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers”. It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.’
While a new presenter has yet to be formally named, candidates such as Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, who already present Fridays on the show and have been filling in for Holly with Josie Gibson, have been mentioned.
However, another star has emerged as a possible replacement for Holly: Abbey Clancy.
According to Ladbrokes, the model, 37, raced into the betting at 12/1 to win the coveted presenting post yesterday, but support has since increased.
She’s dropped from 12/1 to 6/1 to secure the job, with Bake Off host Alison at 11/10, Josie at 3/1, and Jeremy Vine show star Storm Huntley at 5/1 ahead of her.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: ‘This market is attracting more and more attention as the weeks go on and in a latest twist, it is Abbey Clancy who is the name everyone is talking about.
‘Overnight her odds have been slashed in half to replace Holly Willoughby on the This Morning sofa.’
Who could replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning?
According to Ladbrokes, Alison is in the lead with odds of 11/10.
She’s followed by Josie (3/1), Storm (5/1), and Abbey (6/1).
Other presenters tipped for the role are:
- Rochelle Humes (8/1)
- Davina McCall (8/1)
- Kate Garraway (8/1)
- Amanda Holden (14/1)
- Alesha Dixon (14/1)
- Laura Whitmore (18/1)
- Maya Jama (18/1)
- Angela Scanlon (18/1)
- Ruth Langsford (20/1).
This follows claims that Abbey was being considered for a role alongside her husband Peter Crouch, amid reports that ITV executives were looking for a married duo to’recapture the charm’ of Richard and Judy.
Among the couples apparently being considered are Emma and Matt Willis, comedian Joel Dommett and his wife Hannah Cooper, who recently had their first child together, and Peter and Abbey.
A source previously told the Daily Mail: ‘Bosses are keen to get it right so there will be no knee-jerk decisions, it’s about making the right call on which duo have the right chemistry to take the show through to the next era of its 35 year run.’
It has also been stated that This Morning producers have been harassed by celebrity agents in an attempt to get their clients considered for the coveted – and lucrative – post.
A This Morning presenter told the publication: ‘The phones haven’t stopped ringing as television, radio personalities put their names forward to host the show.
‘Every broadcaster, from the world of news, sport, entertainment have been in touch with bosses. Agents have been in contact with ITV bosses to put forward their stars in the hope to take the helm of the two and a half hour daily show.’
Holly announced her resignation earlier this month, saying that while it would be a “difficult goodbye,” she took the decision for herself and her family.
ITV head Kevin Lygo stated in a statement shortly after she left that the channel was’sad’ about Holly’s departure but’respect’ her decision.
He added she was a ‘much-loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future’.
Holly made her debut as a This Morning host alongside Phillip Schofield in 2009.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.