Holly Willoughby hints at nerves ahead of her TV return

Holly Willoughby shared her first gown of the Dancing On Ice series while hinting at her nerves ahead of her first TV appearance on Sunday since she quit This Morning.

The presenter, 42, who is co-hosting with Stephen Mulhern, 46, looked incredible in a dazzling silver strappy dress.

Taking to Instagram an hour before the ITV skating show aired, Holly confidently wrote alongside her snap: 'Let's do this one sequin at a time'.

The blonde beauty looked happy and relaxed ahead of returning to screens following her three month break. 

MailOnline exclusively revealed last month that Holly would be returning to the show after quitting This Morning following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her. 

Holly is hosting the series alongside Stephen, who is taking Phillip Schofield's place after he was fired by ITV. 

Her fellow industry friends gushed to the comments to complement Holly and wish her support ahead of her TV return.

Abbey Clancy wrote: 'Shine bright gorgeous'.

Nicola Appleton added: 'There she is!! You look stunning!! Can’t wait!❄️ ⛸️ xxx'

On Friday, Holly broke her silence for the first time on social media, posting a picture of the Dancing On Ice script.

Alongside the photograph, seemingly taken in her home, Holly penned: 'And so it begins…,' alongside an emoji of an ice skate and a smiling face. 

The cast united for a photocall event earlier this week as they took official shots and took part in interviews, but Holly wasn't in attendance.

The Mirror then reported that Holly - who was at last year's shoot - skipped the photocall to concentrate on rehearsals with her new co-host Stephen.

A source told the publication of this year's event: 'Holly doesn't want any distractions at the moment so she wasn't at the photoshoot.

'And for her it is more about rehearsals and getting the series off to a great start with a new co-host. 

'She's putting all her energy into the show. Holly is a total professional and as always she will be putting her heart and soul into the series with Stephen.'

Though she wasn't at the group cast photocall, the first official photographs of new co-hosts Holly and Stephen have been revealed.

The Mail on Sunday revealed that she met Stephen, 46, two weeks earlier for the pictures to be taken – just days after she made her first public outing since early October, when a former Essex security guard was charged with contacting a hitman in the US to kidnap and murder her. 

It is understood that she and Stephen did not meet the show's judges, including Olympic gold medalists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, but instead had their own private shoot at a studio in London. 

One friend said: 'It was quite an emotional day, it felt like the beginnings of a routine after months of being at home and shutting herself off from the outside world.

'But Holly has always loved wearing dreamy, princess-style gowns on Dancing On Ice, it was always her time to get really dressed up.'

It was a doubly special reunion with Stephen, ITV's popular and long-serving star who hosts the reboot of Deal Or No Deal and Catchphrase, because he was at her side when she got her first big break in TV almost 20 years ago.

The pair hosted ITV morning children's shows Ministry Of Mayhem and Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown when they were in their 20s and since then have had an unbreakable bond.

'It really made a difference to Holly's mindset to know that Stephen would be with her all the way. It has really made her smile,' the friend added.

'For years and years, Phil was with her and suddenly he was gone. To be working with Stephen again at such a poignant time in her career is special for Holly. 

'Whether going back to Dancing On Ice was a quandary for Holly, some gentle persuasion from Stephen definitely helped to seal the deal.'

On Sunday at 6.30pm, Holly will co-host the programme - whose stars include Love Island's Amber Davies, Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards and former Brookside actress Claire Sweeney, from ITV's studio at the old RAF base in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire. 

DANCING ON ICE: MEET THE 2024 CONTESTANTS

RICKY HATTON

AGE: 44

PROFESSION: Former pro boxer

WHAT DID HE SAY? 'If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink'

HANNAH SPEARRITT

AGE: 42

PROFESSION: SINGER

WHAT DID SHE SAY? 'I'm really excited about learning a new skill. It's so easy to live your comfortable life and that aspect of mixing things up is very appealing'

GREG RUTHERFORD 

AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Athlete 

WHAT DID HE SAY? 'I like a challenge and I needed a reason to go out and do stuff again and here we are. I want to perform something that's never been done before, that's my aim.'

Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards

AGE: 59

PROFESSION: OLYMPIC SKI JUMPER

WHAT DID HE SAY? 'Dancing on Ice is a show I've always wanted to do. It's a challenge I think I'm going to relish!'

RICKY NORWOOD

AGE: 40

PROFESSION: EastEnders star 

WHAT DID HE SAY? 'It's come at such a great time in life. I can't skate at all! No rehearsals as yet, I've just had some physiotherapy to strengthen the body.'

RYAN THOMAS

AGE: 39

PROFESSION: Corrie star

WHAT DID HE SAY? 'Everyone keeps asking me, "are you doing it?" I've told everyone!' 

CLAIRE SWEENEY

AGE: 52

PROFESSION: ACTRESS

WHAT DID SHE SAY? 'I am stepping into the unknown here. I don't know how I will feel. But I am very excited.'

AMBER DAVIES

AGE: 26

PROFESSION: WEST END STAR

WHAT DID SHE SAY? 'I would definitely say that I'm an adrenaline junkie but I do get more nervous as I get older and I hope that I can contain them'

MILES NAZAIRE

AGE: 27

PROFESSION: REALITY STAR 

WHAT DID HE SAY? 'I've always loved to dance but it's usually on a dance floor on a Saturday night and Dancing on Ice looks so difficult.'

 LOU SANDERS

AGE: 37

PROFESSION: COMEDIAN

WHAT DID SHE SAY? 'I'm nervous about cracking my head open, or just bashing the old head. I can't afford to lose any more brain cells.'

ADELE ROBERTS 

AGE: 44

PROFESSION: RADIO PRESENTER

WHAT DID SHE SAY? 'It's ''bricking it on ice'' for me! I think the hardest part is putting myself out there as I usually hide away'

 ROXY SHAHIDI

AGE: 40

PROFESSION: Emmerdale star 

WHAT DID SHE SAY? 'I can't ice-skate. I haven't really said anything to anyone but mainly because I'm so nervous about it!'