HOLL OR NOTHING
Schofield reveals he demanded Willoughby as his partner on This Morning.. or he’d have quit show
PHILLIP Schofield has revealed he specifically requested Holly Willoughby was hired as his co-presenter on This Morning after the pair first teamed up for Dancing On Ice. The TV duo are resuming their presenting role on the ice dancing contest when it returns in January after a four-year break. Schofield has credited the reality show for being the starting point of their much-loved partnership. He said: “Dancing On Ice is what started it all off. It was the first time we worked together.
“We had such fun 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.’”
Willoughby took over from Fern Britton on ITV’s flagship daytime programme in 2009, after working with Schofield on DOI since 2006.
She left Dancing On Ice in 2011 and was replaced by Christine Bleakley – but she is pleased to be returning to the series.
Willoughby, who has three children aged between three and eight, said: “What is really nice is I have found a new appreciation for this kind of show since having the kids.
“It is exactly the type of show we sit and watch as a family. We love Strictly, The X Factor and we love sitting there watching those big family-event TV moments.
“It is nice my children are now old enough to watch and enjoy DOI.” ● Dancing On Ice returns to ITV on January 7 at 6pm.