Holly Willoughby couldn’t stop smiling as she headed to Winter Wonderland, days after it was ‘confirmed’ she would be hosting Strictly Come Dancing. The TV host is reportedly ‘guaranteed’ to be presenting the show next series.
Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will be standing down as presenters on the BBC show, with discussion about who will replace them paramount. Claudia and Tess will present for the final time this Christmas.
Holly looked happy and cosy as she kicked off Christmas with a visit to the London attraction, where she posed for photos. It comes just days after Holly was earmarked as Tess and Claudia’s replacement.
Peter Fincham, who was director of the BBC for two years until 2007, reportedly understands that Holly will be the one to replace either Claudia Winkleman or Tess Daly, who will be departing the show after two decades at the helm.
He said: “My hairdresser also cuts the hair of a well-known channel controller. What’s said in Harry’s the hairdresser stays in Harry’s. But he says with great confidence that Holly Willoughby will take over.”
Holly had previously presented This Morning for 14 years until her exit when she decided to put her family first and depart the show. At the time, she said: “I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
“To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so, so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together.
“Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day. Richard and Judy said ‘we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers’. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive.
“To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. It’s been an honour to just be part of it’s 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. I will miss you all so much.”
Tess and Claudia made their announcement just a few weeks ago, with everyone left reeling. Recently, professional dancer Katya Jones backed Janette Manrara to take over.
Asked who she would want, she said: “Naturally for me, it’s Janette Manrara. She’s done it all – she’s done it as a professional, she’s presented It Takes Two. She knows what we’re feeling – she’d be the perfect Claudia, talking it through with us. When you come up [to the Claudiatorium] and you’ve just done this amazing dance – or it didn’t go well – you want someone who understands.”
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