This Morning decided to leave out the breaking news that Holly Willoughby would be returning to ITV on Dancing on Ice during Thursday’s live show.
Willoughby decided to quit This Morning back in October and speculation surrounding her Dancing on Ice future had been rife until today.
On the day news of her DOI return broke, it was Rylan Clark and Emma Willis who were overseeing proceedings on the show.
But instead of announcing the news or congratulating their former This Morning colleague on her imminent return to screens, the ITV show didn’t divert from the script.
In the part of the show which continued after ITV confirmed Willoughby’s spot on next year’s Dancing on Ice, a brief film of Alison Hammond’s “Arabian Adventure” played out.
Soon after, Willis and Clark welcomed Jordan North and William Hanson onto the show to discuss their podcast and new book.
Rylan Clark and Emma Willis failed to mention Holly Willoughby’s Dancing on Ice return
ITV
The pair also tucked into a festive dish conjured up by chef Donal Skehan who showed viewers how to use Christmas leftovers in a special Mac ‘n’ Cheese.
There was some mention of Willoughby, however, as a replay of an interview between the former This Morning host and Josie Gibson with Miriam Margolyes played out.
Willoughby has stayed out of the public eye since announcing her immediate exit from This Morning back in October – although the show did pay a tribute of sorts to her time on the show the following day.
And while This Morning may have failed to mention her DOI comeback, it’s clearly an exciting prospect for ITV bosses who released a statement once the news was confirmed.
Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, Katie Rawcliffe, said of Willoughby’s return: “Holly and Stephen [Mulhern] are two of our best-loved presenters…
“So reuniting them 20 years after they first appeared on screen together to host Dancing on Ice marks the start of an exciting year for the show.”
In For A Penny host Mulhern takes over the reins of the show alongside Willoughby following Phillip Schofield’s departure from ITV in May.
Willoughby confirmed her This Morning departure on October 10 with a statement that read: “I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were co-hosts on This Morning and Dancing on Ice before he left ITV
PA
“To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together.
“Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.
“Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.
“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. I will miss you all so much.”
