Stephen Mulhern has disclosed that he is in talks with ITV about taking over as Phillip Schofield‘s replacement on Dancing On Ice.
The post has been empty since the former This Morning host, 61, resigned from all of his projects with the network after confessing to lying about a ‘unwise but not criminal’ romance with a junior member of staff.
Stephen, who has a long career with ITV, already has a history with the competition series, having hosted the spin-off series Defrosted and standing in for Phillip while he was unwell with Covid.
He has now stated that he is in discussions with the broadcaster to present Dancing On Ice on a permanent basis, having previously had a ‘wonderful experience’ on the programme and with the team.
‘We are talking about it,’ he explained. ‘But I promise you now that nothing is confirmed but if it happens, it will be absolutely amazing… if it doesn’t, look, it doesn’t. I promise you I would tell you if we had it confirmed at this point.’
He continued to the Daily Mail: ‘The lineup is the best it has been in a few years… I am keeping across the lineup, just in case… It is a huge staple, and it has been around.’
DOI has revealed comedian Lou Sanders, Made in Chelsea’s Miles Nazaire, original Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb, DJ Adele Roberts, Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, and Emmerdale’s Roxy Shahidi.
On the programme, world champion boxer Ricky Hatton, EastEnders’ Ricky Norwood, actress Claire Sweeney, S Club singer Hannah Spearritt, former Love Island star Amber Davies, and Olympic champion Greg Rutherford are among those who will compete.
If Stephen is hired, it is unknown if he would work with long-time anchor Holly, 42, who left This Morning earlier this month, citing family obligations.
However, a source told The Mirror Holly, who has three children with husband Dan Baldwin, has informed pals that she plans to return to Dancing On Ice next year.
‘In spite of her decision to walk away from This Morning, she’s still part of the ITV family and loves the show,’ the added.
Dancing on Ice premiered on ITV in 2006, with Phillip and Holly presenting the most of the time, with Christine Lampard filling in for the latter from 2012 until 2014, when she left to host The Voice.
Dancing On Ice returns to ITV and ITVX next year.
