Holly Willoughby featured alone in a new ITV ad following the departure of her former co-star Phillip Schofield.
The Dancing On Ice host, 42, went solo in the 20-second film, which also included Good Morning Britain’s Richard Madeley and Ed Balls, as well as This Morning team Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
Lorraine Kelly and her colleagues, Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard, Martin Lewis, and Loose Women panellists Ruth Langsford and Coleen Nolan are among the other broadcasters featured in the advertisement.
It comes just days before Holly, who has been on a summer trip with her family in Portugal, is set to return to the daytime show, with ITV apparently opting not to hire a permanent co-host.
Phillip’s job has been empty since he left after confessing to lying about an affair with a runner, with a number of presenters, including Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle, filling in as needed.
This approach is expected to continue, with a source suggesting This Morning would ‘basically be Holly’s show,’ with the Wylde Moon founder’s income allegedly increasing from £700,000 to £1 million.
However, Holly previously stated that she wanted Alison to replace Phillip and become her regular co-host, but it is believed that she is too busy with other obligations, including becoming a Bake Off judge.
This Morning has lately been rocked by scandal, with former presenters and ITV behind-the-scenes personnel alleging toxicity and bullying away from the cameras.
MPs have called on ITV executives to address the serious allegations, and an inquiry is presently ongoing, with the conclusions anticipated to be disclosed soon.
As the inquiry into ITV and Phillip’s departure nears completion, Holly, who worked with Phillip since 2009, is thought to be cooperating.
Holly is stated to have no secrets, despite workers being questioned about what they knew by Jane Mulcahy KC.
‘She has nothing to hide,’ one of her friends has said.
The presenter has also ‘fully complied and cooperated with everything that has been asked of her by the KC’.
The insider added to The Mirror: ‘Holly was more than happy to do what was asked of her, and explain her position, and what she knew, and what she didn’t.’
Senior ITV officials, including Kevin Lygo, have been contacted in addition to on-screen performers.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
Source My Celebrity Life.
