This Morning bosses ‘want Siân Welby as Holly Willoughby’s permanent replacement’
Posted by  badge Boss on Jan 27
Siân Welby is top choice to take over This Morning hosting (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Since departed from there has been much speculation over who will take over from her permanently.

Different presenters have been trialled and tested in the months since Holly, 42,  after 14 years following .

The show has seen a rotation of household names filling the gap from and to Josie Gibson, Dermot O’Leary and now

It seems the 37-year-old presenter might be the perfect fit for ITV bosses after alongside Dermot, 50.

, who looks remarkably similar to Holly with her blonde hair and bright smile, is said to have impressed editor Martin Frizell and head of daytime, Emma Gormley.

According to one insider: ‘Siân has done a fantastic job and everyone totally loves her.’

Siân did a four-day hosting trial with Dermot O’Leary (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
She’s been a hit with viewers and bosses alike (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Holly Willoughby’s departure left a huge hole in This Morning (Picture: ITV)

They continued to the : ‘She is a massive breath of fresh air, she has come along and just wowed everyone. She has been a joy to watch for the viewers but also Martin and other executives on the show and they think she has the ability to grow and grow on the show and become the next Holly.’

Bosses are thought to be in agreement that Siân has star potential, having previously appeared on the popular daytime show as a showbiz reporter.

Before her move to ITV, the Nottingham-born star  alongside Roman Kemp and Chris Stark.

Her career started with humble beginnings as she was spotted working in her local New Look and asked to become a weather girl for Channel 5.

She hosts Captial FM Breakfast with Roman Kemp and Chris Stark (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Since then Siân’s star has continued to grow but she has since been hit with made on the Capital Breakfast show.

The trio made remarks about Chocolate Moments and its owner Maria Antoniou, who has appeared on â€™s Next Big Thing on .

‘So what? It’s already failed? It’s gone into bankruptcy already? Oh no! I was quite excited,’ Welby joked on air, over a mocking jaunty tune, as she looked over the flavours on offer and questioned its popularity.

‘It says it’s all out of stock. Do you think it’s ever been in stock?’ she added, laughing as Chris chimed in, criticising the quality.

Maria told Metro.co.uk she felt she was ‘used for some cheap laughs’ and was unimpressed with the private ‘apologies’ received.

Siân could be offered the full-time gig (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Would you like to see more of Siân on This Morning?Comment Now

The radio host has also revealed some personal difficulties as she told This Morning viewers that her 84-year-old dad Ian was ‘going through it’ with a vascular dementia diagnosis.

‘You’re scared to lose a person that you know, it is quite frightening!’ she shared. ‘Would I want to take a test knowing I could be susceptible to it?

‘It’s hard to know! I don’t know if I want to know, is ignorance bliss? But then again, if I could do something about it?’ 

Despite her concerns about her dad, Siân has been celebrating her step up to host and wrote on X: ‘This news is about me and even I don’t believe it.’

Nobody has yet been confirmed as a permanent replacement for Holly, with bosses also said to be looking at Cat Deeley, 47, while favourite Rylan reportedly does not want a full-time gig right now.

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX.