Is Holly off to TV pastures new?
WITH her future at ITV uncertain, BBC chiefs are planning to tempt Holly Willoughby over to the broadcaster.
Bosses at the corporation have been keen to land the presenter for some time and the way is now clear for them to make their move with her current projects up in the air.
Ms Willoughby, 42, left daytime show This Morning on Tuesday after 14 years, and it is unclear whether she will continue her role presenting Dancing On Ice.
BBC executives are discussing potential ways to entice the presenter to be the face of some of its biggest shows, sources say.
Her family-friendly image and bubbly personality are seen by the broadcaster’s bosses as perfect for BBC entertainment. She attended last year’s Variety Showbusiness Awards as the BBC’s guest of honour alongside chief content officer Charlotte Moore.
Ms Willoughby’s TV producer husband Dan Baldwin has strong ties to the corporation, with his company Hungry Bear producing the BBC’s forthcoming Gladiators revival. He is also behind Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and game show The Wheel.
Ms Willoughby shocked viewers this week when she announced her departure from This Morning, saying she wanted to focus on her family – just days after a man was charged with involvement in an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the TV presenter.
ITV bosses had been set to relaunch the show in January with Ms Willoughby hosting alongside a new presenting partner, with Good Morning Britain’s Ben Shephard expected to be announced in the role.
The channel is also still in the dark as to whether or not Ms Willoughby will present January’s Dancing On Ice as planned, with just weeks to go until promotional trailers featuring the hosts, judges and contestants on the show are due to air.