Stephen Mulhern warned ITV viewers at home to 'expect a bumpy ride' as he replaced Phillip Schofield as her co-host for Sunday's Dancing on Ice.
After he tested positive for Covid late on Monday night, Phillip appeared from Tuesday's This Morning from home and told colleagues Rochelle Humes and Alison Hammond that, while he felt alright, it was touch and go whether he'd be out of isolation for Sunday's live show.
Unfortunately for Phillip, he was still testing positive on Saturday, which meant that Catchphrase host Stephen was hastily drafted into replace him.
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Prior to this weekend, Phillip had never missed an episode of Dancing on Ice, hosting one series with Christine Lampard as Holly Willoughby took maternity leave.
Holly had a message for Phillip right at the start of Sunday's show, telling fans: "You may have heard that Phil is isolating, so for the first time ever, he won't be here this week.
"I know he's watching at home, so we're sending you lots of love Phil."
While gutted Phillip wasn't by her side as normal, Holly did seem very excited to have old pal Stephen as stand in presenter.
The two go back a long way, having hosted children's TV together in the 00s.
Addressing viewers, Stephen said: "Yes I am here guys. Can you believe it's been 16 years since we worked together on kids TV?"
Holly replied: "I know, Saturday mornings. We've grown up now. Look at us, we're grown ups doing proper big telly."
After joking that he wasn't ready to step into the breach, Stephen continued: "Back by no popular demand," before adding: "We are live. Strap yourself in. It could be a bumpy ride!"
Viewers were quick to react to Stephen being on Dancing on Ice, with one tweeting: "Stephen Mulhern needs a big prime time show! Loving him already."
A second reacted: "Only a few seconds in and I Iove Stephen on this show already," and another impressed fan posted: "I miss @Schofe but I love @StephenMulhern. It's a tough choice."
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