ITV ramp up security as Holly Willoughby’s issued huge Dancing On Ice contract

Holly Willoughby has bagged herself another contract hosting ITV's hit ice skating show Dancing On Ice.

Bosses at the broadcaster had been keen to bring Holly back onto the show after she dramatically quit This Morning earlier this year. After several tumultuous months on the show, Holly eventually left the programme after a plot to kidnap and kill the host was foiled by the Metropolitan Police.

Missing out on one of the programmes, Holly – who was set to host together with co-host Josie Gibson – was replaced with Alison Hammond. Since then, Holly has rarely been spotted in the outside world as she tries to maintain her privacy.

READ MORE: Dancing on Ice's Torvil and Dean finally reunite to skate after horror injury forced them apart

READ MORE:Join the Daily Star Soaps WhatsApp for all the latest spoilers and exclusives

Now, ITV producers have managed to coax Holly back to our TV screens as she looks set to host Dancing on Ice from the rink-side next year. Holly agreed to the gig, on the condition that her security presence is stepped up from the moment she leaves home to when she returns, with added security around the studios.

As well as this, Holly, 42, has been given a cool salary for her presenting gig. Sources close to the broadcaster revealed that she is reportedly earning between £200k and £250k for her appearance on the show.

In previous series, Holly was already one of the highest paid presenters on the show, bagging £200k per season. But the increase in pay comes as a welcome relief to the former This Morning presenter, who is now alleged to have a fear of hosting live TV.

Claims were also made that ITV had given Willoughby a deadline to sign the contract. However, these allegations were shut down by insiders who are close to the blonde bombshell.

Speaking to The Sun, a source close to the show said that bosses at ITV are getting ready for her grand return to TV. They added that the station is ready to do anything it takes for her to feel comfortable hosting the show.

A source added: "Holly has been sent an ITV contract to do the show. It’s now getting closer to it being on air and everyone is hopeful she’s going to sign it.

"They are willing to do whatever they need to do to make her comfortable and get her to sign the contract," the insider continued. "Holly is the star of the show. There has been discussion about a plan to increase all security on set so she feels safe."

Should Holly, however, refuse to sign on the dotted line, ITV bosses have already lined up a replacement to fill her shoes. Fellow This Morning presenter Rochelle Humes would be the favourite to step in should Holly back out and not return to the show.

Holly would not be presenting the show alone, however, as Deal or No Deal host Stephen Mulhern has already given the go-ahead to presenting Dancing on Ice. Mulhern follows in the footsteps of Phillip Schofield, who dramatically quit ITV after it was revealed he was having an affair with a much younger colleague.

Holly herself has not commented on the decision to return, and a spokesperson for the presenter said that no decision has yet been made. However, Holly is said to approve of her new potential co-host, which bosses at ITV will persuade her to sign the contract.

Dancing on Ice will return to ITV1 and ITVX in the new year.

For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here.

Source: Read Full Article