ITV Dancing On Ice bosses 'provide Holly Willoughby with new contract' as she makes return

Former This Morning star Holly Willoughby delighted fans when it was confirmed she would be making her TV return to the figure-skating competition, Dancing On Ice

Holly Willoughby was reportedly offered a brand new contract with 'heightened security' for her return to Dancing On Ice.

It was only recently announced that Holly will be making her TV return. The presenter will be joined by Stephen Mulhern as her new co-host - although the pair have worked together before. She previously stepped down as host of This Morning in October after she learned of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.

Holly used to host Dancing On Ice with her This Morning co-star Phillip Schofield. But bosses were left scrambling for replacements when Schofield announced his exit from ITV in May due to an affair with a younger colleague. And then, a few months later, Holly stepped down from her presenting role on the morning programme.

Rumours started swirling about who would be hosting the figure-skating competition as bosses were reportedly unsure whether Holly wanted to return to the series next month as she had been staying out of the public eye since October to focus on "me and my family".

It was recently understood that Holly agreed to a "rolling contract" so that she would have the option to quit Dancing On Ice if so pleased. An insider claimed to The Sun: "Bosses have been working hard to ensure she feels completely secure, trying not to put any pressure on all while making sure she knows they are ready to support her every step of the way.”

Mirror have contacted ITV for comment. The series returns to screens on 14 January, with an insider recently revealing to The Mirror about Holly's return: "ITV are delighted to have Holly back. Stephen is a good friend of hers too so she will enjoy working with him again."

ITV confirmed Holly's return today, with Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, saying: "Holly and Stephen are two of our best-loved presenters, so reuniting them twenty years after they first appeared on screen together to host Dancing on Ice marks the start of an exciting year for the show.

"Celebrating 20 years since they first worked together on Ministry of Mayhem, Willoughby and Mulhern will preside over the action on the high-octane skating show as this year’s celebrities compete to become champion of the ice. Judges Torvill and Dean, Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse are back on the panel."

Stephen and Holly have worked together many times over the years, with the Dancing On Ice presenters both kick-starting their respective careers at CITV presenting children’s television shows together.

The Mirror has reached out to Holly's representatives and an ITV spokesperson for comment on this story.

Dancing On Ice returns to ITV in the New Year*

Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .