Phillip Schofield will be given just ONE primetime show to host solo on ITV – and it’s likely to be a series he has already fronted.
Insiders said the presenter, who was axed from This Morning over the weekend after more than 20 years, will return with either Dancing on Ice, The Cube or 5 Gold Rings.
The search is also on for his permanent replacement on the daytime sofa with Holly Willoughby.
But if the right candidate fails to emerge, bosses are said to be “totally relaxed” about letting Holly follow in the template of Susanna Reid, who has worked as the main presenter on Good Morning Britain alongside a series of guest hosts.
One source said: “When Piers Morgan left GMB it was panic stations as everyone set about finding someone to replace such a huge personality. In the event, they needn’t have worried.
“The guest hosts have worked a treat. So, while finding a regular is the ideal solution, it’s also perfectly plausible that Holly can do a Susanna.”
Those in the frame include Friday show regulars Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary plus Joel Dommett, Rochelle Humes, Rylan Clark, Josie Gibson, Amanda Holden and Matthew Wright.
Today’s show will be fronted by Alison and Dermot, ITV confirmed yesterday. It is not clear who will present for the rest of the week.
Holly, who has hosted with Phillip since the departure of Fern Britton in 2009, will return to the sofa on June 5.
On Saturday, Phillip announced he was leaving with “immediate effect” the show he joined in 2002.
It left staff on the show perplexed because many believed news of the alleged rift was “overblown”. Some believe Holly – who reportedly issued an ultimatum that she would walk if Phillip stayed – became convinced he was going to damage her brand as a wholesome wife, mother and lifestyle guru.
Many can’t understand how she could turn so harshly on her former best friend, whose brother Timothy was last week handed a 12-year sentence for sex crimes against a child.
One insider said: “It’s as if queue-gate and now this situation with Phillip’s brother has made her feel that he’s toxic and it’s going to somehow rub off on her. Daytime TV might look all warm and fuzzy but on the inside it’s bloody brutal.”
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No decision has yet been made on who will present Dancing on Ice going forward but one thing is certain - it won’t be Holly and Phillip together. Phillip is keen to stay but may not be offered the chance, even though he’s been there since it began.
The Cube has not been on ITV since 2021 and 5 Gold Rings has been off air since the previous year.
But as Phillip is unlikely to be handed more than one project, he is likely to be dropped from Dancing on Ice if either of the gameshows are brought back. Holly could host the skating show solo.
Bosses are keen to see how the public responds to Phillip before making any long-term commitments.
“They want to take it slowly, one project at a time,” one source said.
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