Dancing On Ice winner wades in on Holly Willoughby return
Lorraine reacts to Holly Willoughby’s This Morning departure
Dancing On Ice winner Jake Quickenden has waded in on the conversation surrounding whether or not Holly Willoughby will return to host the series. The English presenter quit her role on This Morning in October after 14 years on the chat show.
The ice skating competition is set to return in the new year, but the ITV show has been thrown into turmoil as Holly is reportedly “yet to sign the hosting deal.” All contestants have been confirmed for the 2023 series and the show is normally hosted by Holly and Phillip Schofield.
Speaking exclusively with Express.co.uk, Jake shared that he’s not worried about the show if Holly does or doesn’t return. The show experienced a four-year hiatus before returning in 2018.
He said: “Well, it’s happened before. It went away and it came back. And I think a lot of shows do that. We’ve just got Big Brother back after a long kind of break.
“But I’m a huge fan of Dancing On Ice – it’s a show that I watch and is a show that I’ve won. I think whoever takes over… Or if Holly returns – Holly’s brilliant. I mean, she’s brilliant on that show. If she returned, then happy days. If she doesn’t, then I’m sure somebody will step in and do a great job.”
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The show has already experienced chaos before its start date, as one celebrity was forced to pull out after suffering a horror injury during training. Gogglebox star Stephen Webb dropped out after breaking his ankle and has since undergone surgery.
He’s kept fans regularly updated online with his injury and recently shared that he’s had to drop out of running the London Marathon next year. Stephen said he was “absolutely gutted” as he will be on crutches for a few months.
Holly Willoughby has fronted Dancing On Ice since its return in 2018 with Phillip Schofield, but it is unclear whether she will be returning. Earlier this year, Phillip sensationally quit his role on This Morning after admitting to having an affair with a younger colleague.
Meanwhile, Holly continued to stay on the ITV show until she announced her exit two months ago. Holly started her position in 2009 and fronted the show alongside her former co-host Phillip Schofield until his departure.
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However, a close friend of hers has reportedly said that she “isn’t in a good place” since leaving the programme. Leigh Francis, better known as Keith Lemon, told Sunday People: “I don’t think she’s in a good place. She’s having a tough time. I just text her. I don’t ask how she is, but I send her some messages to cheer her up.”
Meanwhile, Jake has teamed up with YouTube Shorts to celebrate diverse hobbies. Research by YouGov shows over two thirds (66%) of 16-24 year olds say that watching hobbies on social media inspires them to take one up.
Pet Portraits has been identified as a popular hobby in the UK this year as more people are turning to YouTube for inspiration. Jake hosted a masterclass on December 12 alongside YouTube Shorts creator and artist Emily Rose to find out more about the trend.
Jake said: “It’s fascinating to see how young people are engaging with new hobbies and pastimes online. Whether you’re into pet portraits, pickleball or pressure washing, on YouTube Shorts you can find that someone or something that inspires you and stokes your curiosity, allowing you to discover incredible new pastimes that you may never have come across before.”
Dancing On Ice is set to return to ITV in January.
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