Dec the hall with Holly! Star is the ‘front runner’ to take over from Ant in jungle
HOLLY Willoughby was yesterday revealed to be the ‘front runner’ to replace troubled Ant McPartlin on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
The star, 37, is said to be in ‘advanced talks’ with ITV bosses to host the hit series alongside Declan Donnelly when it returns in November.
Donnelly, 42, will return to TV screens with a new partner while his best friend, who is battling drink and personal problems, steps away from TV commitments until next year.
Earlier this month, McPartlin, 42, who also fronts Britain’s Got Talent with Donnelly, announced he would ‘be back, just not yet’.
Ms Willoughby is reportedly ‘confirmed’ to be going to the jungle in Australia in his place.
TV insiders told the Daily Mirror: ‘Holly is 100% confirmed to be going into the jungle this year as Ant’s stand-in.
‘It’s been in the works for weeks as ITV were really keen on getting her in.
‘They’ve taken their time announcing it as they wanted to be sure Holly could fit it in with her family and other work commitments.’
Negotiations are at an ‘advanced stage’ and Ms Willoughby is the ‘only star in talks for the role’, according to The Sun.
The mother of three has worked for ITV since 2004, fronting This Morning, Celebrity Juice and Dancing On Ice.
A source said: ‘Holly is far and away the front-runner’, adding: ‘Not only is she loved by ITV bosses and viewers, but she is also one of Ant’s closest friends. Flying the flag for him in his absence means the world to her.’
Other stars who had been rumoured to be in the running for the job were ITV presenters Stephen Mulhern and Caroline Flack, and former I’m A Celebrity winner Scarlett Moffatt.
McPartlin, who entered rehab for the second time following a car crash in London in March, was banned from the wheel for 20 months and fined £86,000 (€95,000) after pleading guilty to driving while more than twice the limit.
It was said that he and Donnelly had a tearful meeting at which McPartlin – who has had the Alcoholics Anonymous symbol tattooed on his arm – gave his friend his blessing to host the programme without him.
McPartlin told fans following the announcement: ‘I will be back, just not yet. My recovery is going very well and for that to continue, having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.’
It will be the first time Donnelly has presented the programme without his sidekick in the show’s 16-year history.
An ITV spokesman said an official announcement about I’m A Celebrity’s presenters would be made ‘in due course’.