A new favourite to replace on has thrown a bit of a curveball into the mix.
Months after shockingly quit the programme, amid rumours he and and after his bombshell admission that he had Holly has also
After , the 42-year-old announced her departure in a heartfelt statement, thanking viewers for being ‘loyal, so supportive, and the very best company every day.’
She continued: ‘Richard and Judy said “we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers”. It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.’
While a new host has yet to be announced officially, names have been thrown into the mix including the likes of and , who already present Fridays on the programme, and have been stepping in for Holly alongside .
But now, another celebrity has been tipped to replace Holly: Abbey Clancy.
The model, 37, stormed into the betting yesterday at 12/1 to claim the coveted presenting role, but since then, support has ramped up, according to Ladbrokes.
She’s now just 6/1 from 12/1 to take the hotseat, with at 11/10, Josie at 3/1 and Jeremy Vine show star at 5/1 ahead of her in the pecking order.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: ‘This market is attracting more and more attention as the weeks go on and in a latest twist, it is Abbey Clancy who is the name everyone is talking about.
‘Overnight her odds have been slashed in half to replace Holly Willoughby on the This Morning sofa.’
Who could replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning?
According to Ladbrokes, Alison is in the lead with odds of 11/10.
She’s followed by Josie (3/1), Storm (5/1), and Abbey (6/1).
Other presenters tipped for the role are:
- Rochelle Humes (8/1)
- Davina McCall (8/1)
- Kate Garraway (8/1)
- Amanda Holden (14/1)
- Alesha Dixon (14/1)
- Laura Whitmore (18/1)
- Maya Jama (18/1)
- Angela Scanlon (18/1)
- Ruth Langsford (20/1).
This comes after reports that Abbey was , amid rumours that ITV bosses were reportedly setting their sights on a married couple to ‘recapture the magic’ of Richard and Judy.
, comedian Joel Dommett and his wife Hannah Cooper, who , and were among the couples reportedly being eyed up.
A source previously told the : ‘Bosses are keen to get it right so there will be no knee-jerk decisions, it’s about making the right call on which duo have the right chemistry to take the show through to the next era of its 35 year run.’
It’s also been claimed that This Morning executives have been bombarded by celebrities’ agents in a bid to put their clients in the running for the prestigious – and lucrative – job.
A This Morning presenter told the publication: ‘The phones haven’t stopped ringing as television, radio personalities put their names forward to host the show.
‘Every broadcaster, from the world of news, sport, entertainment have been in touch with bosses. Agents have been in contact with ITV bosses to put forward their stars in the hope to take the helm of the two and a half hour daily show.’
Holly announced her departure earlier this month and although it was a ‘difficult goodbye’ said she had made the decision for herself and her family.
Soon after she quit, ITV boss Kevin Lygo also said in a statement the broadcaster was ‘sad’ over Holly’s departure but ‘respect’ her decision.
He added she was a ‘much-loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future’.
Holly made her debut as a presenter on This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield back in 2009.
Metro.co.uk has approached Abbey Clancy’s reps for comment.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
