Dancing on Ice bosses keen to get Holly Willoughby back on air

Jody Coffey

‘Dancing On Ice’ bosses are hoping to persuade Holly Willoughby to return to the small screen in time to host the upcoming season of the show.

The former ‘This Morning’ host is reportedly still reeling from an alleged kidnapping plot which saw her step down from her presenting duties on the mid-morning talk show after 14 years in October.

In the aftermath of her shock departure from ‘This Morning’, Holly has remained silent on social media, and there has been much speculation as to whether she will return to co-host ‘Dancing On Ice’ with Stephen Mulhern.

The media personality is taking some time away from work commitments following the arrest of shopping centre security officer, Gavin Plumb, who was charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap – a claim he denies.

The show will return in the New Year with a host of new celebrities taking part to win the DOI Trophy.

The show originally saw the broadcaster presenting with her former ‘This Morning’ co-host, Phillip Schofield, before he left the show following revelations of an affair with a younger colleague.

According to the Mail Online, producers of the show have now reportedly put a big pay deal on the table for the broadcaster in the hope that it will entice her into making her TV comeback this January.

The outlet reports that show bosses are in talks for finding a solution that would make Holly feel comfortable stepping back in front of the camera, as she continues to work through the trauma of the kidnapping plot ordeal.

A TV source told the publication that Stephen will not present the show alone, however, the mum-of-three has yet to formally agree to the role.

“Bosses hope that they can convince her to come back to work in the New Year because they feel that the relationship between her and Stephen is exactly what the series needs.

“The situation is extremely sensitive due to everything that Holly has gone through in recent months and the channel is being careful not to put pressure on her decision, although they’re hoping that renegotiating her contract will help to close the deal.

“Time is running out now given photoshoots need to happen plus it won’t be long until the show needs to start promoting the new series,” the source added.

This comes following news that Holly has ‘paused’ her seven-figure deal with beauty brand L’Oréal and her €1million deal with Marks & Spencer because she is still ‘fearful’ of her safety.