As speculation over Holly Willoughby‘s replacement intensifies, Sarah Ferguson is apparently in discussions for a spot on This Morning.
Holly, 42, left the ITV daily show Dancing On Ice after 14 years, claiming it was a “difficult goodbye.”
Her resignation comes only months after Phillip Schofield quit from full-time at ITV after announcing his ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair.
Since Holly’s departure, previous co-stars such as Alison Hammond and Rylan Clark have filled in on the couch, but it’s now been reported that the Duchess of York may be joining the cast.
A source said: ‘The Duchess was a real hit with ITV bosses on Loose Women, everyone thought she was a natural.
‘There is an open invitation for her to return to Loose Women and there is also talk of her doing a guest slot on This Morning or a mini-series for them.’
The insider added to The Mirror: ‘She has done quite a lot of TV work before – at one point she stood in for Larry King in the US.’
Sarah, 64, previously told Holly that she would ‘love’ to return to This Morning after an appearance earlier this year, according to the publication.
After Holly asked if she would like to return to the show with a love phone-in, she said: ‘Holly, I would love to do that maybe when you’re back from your annual leave and the Easter holidays! But there’s no question, that is right on topic. We love to love.’
Shortly after Schofield’s exit from This Morning after his affair with a younger employee was revealed, Sarah defended the former host, saying ‘nobody has the right to judge’.
On her podcast Tea Talks with businesswoman Sarah Jane Thomson, the duo discussed the role of social media in the Schofield saga, with the royal agreeing it was like a ‘huge game of Chinese whispers’, branding it ‘the court of public opinion.’
As a result, the mother-of-two argued, it generates ‘massive bullying to the point of extermination of a soul.’
‘I don’t believe that anybody has that right to judge and exterminate a person’s own beliefs,’ she continued.
Sarah then urged social media users to reserve their judgment, adding: ‘We all have failings.’
She continued: ‘Could everyone please take a beat or make a cup of tea before you judge another human being without knowing all the facts?
‘We don’t know the facts. We certainly don’t know what people get up to.’
Sarah might be the next host of This Morning, according to reports.
The SMTV Live presenter will sit alongside Rylan and Craig Doyle on certain days next week, while executives are apparently still looking for Holly and Schofield’s replacements, with earlier sources stating they were seeking for a married couple.
Cat will take her place on the sofa in only a few days, on Monday, November 13.
A source said: ‘Cat is seasoned pro and execs have been keen to get her in for a while.
‘She takes live TV in her stride and his really witty and personable with guests.’
The insider added to The Sun: ‘She is comfortable interviewing both popstars and politicians, so if it goes well she could be a much more permanent solution to Holly leaving.
‘Cat would be safe captain to steady the ship.’
They also claimed fans ‘can expect to see a lot more’ of Rylan.
Holly’s statement announcing she had quit the show last month read: ‘I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
‘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. Holly.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.