Why host Phillip was cooling his interest in Dancing On Ice

THEY are returning to Dancing On Ice as hosts after a four-year break.

Yet Phillip Schofield revealed his future was in question when he told bosses he would not come back without his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby, pictured left with Schofield – disclosing he’d said he ‘would not play’ if she wasn’t involved.

The 55-year-old TV favourite spoke ahead of the launch of the tenth series, which kicks off on Sunday, where stars including Great British Bake Off victor Candice Brown, rugby ace Max Evans and Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker will take to the rink. Phillip has fronted the show since its 2006 inaugural season with Holly alongside – bar a brief break between 2012 to 2014 when he was joined by Christine Bleakley.

After the four-year hiatus, the silver fox revealed he would not return without Holly: ‘Dancing On Ice is what started it all off. It was the first time we worked together.

‘We had such fun on DOI that when the position became vacant on This Morning, I said: “Holly is the only person I want. If I can’t have her I am not playing”.’

The show’s long-standing judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean also discussed the return of the powerhouse duo – who have fronted This Morning together for four days a week since 2009.

Jayne said: ‘Yes! DOI brought Holly and Phil together in the first place. It was the first time Phil and Holly had worked together. Since that time, they have worked together on This Morning and become household names as a duo. People see them together.’

Chris went on: ‘You get to that point where you know what the other one is thinking!’