Holly return hopes high

ITV bosses are set to ask Holly Willoughby to return to the jungle – even if Ant McPartlin is back to present with pal Declan Donnelly.

Consolidated figures for the launch episode of 13.7million made it the biggest opening show ever and since then Holly and Dec have enjoyed continued success.

While reports suggesting she could present the show in a trio with Ant and Dec are thought to be “extremely unlikely” according to senior sources at ITV, there are other ways she could be involved in 2019.

An insider said: “In the new year bosses will know more about Ant’s situation and if he is back, which seems almost certain, it will be about persuading Holly to come Down Under for a different role. She could… report live for This Morning as well as appear on ITV2’s Extra Camp.”