Holly Willoughby is 'overhauling her demure Queen of daytime TV image' with Dancing On Ice return that could 'relaunch her career'

Holly Willoughby is ‘overhauling her demure Queen of daytime TV image’ and could soon front her own show as a solo star, it has been claimed.

The presenter, 42, returned to Dancing On Ice on Sunday night after taking a break from TV last October in the wake of an alleged kidnap and murder plot.

She quit her This Morning role after the plot came to light which came just a few months after Phillip Schofield left as her co-host after his affair with a younger show runner came to light.

But as she returned to the rink, one expert told The Sun, that she appeared ‘more grown up’ and could ‘relaunch her career’ with a move to her own solo show in the future.

She also opted for a very sexy silver dress look in a switch up from her more casual ensembles on This Morning.

Holly Willoughby is ‘overhauling her demure Queen of daytime TV image’ and could soon front her own show as a solo star, it has been claimed (seen left on Sunday’s Dancing On Ice and right on This Morning last September)

The presenter, 42, returned to Dancing On Ice on Sunday night with new co-host Stephen Mulhern after taking a break from TV last October in the wake of an alleged kidnap and murder plot

Expert Nick Ede told the publication: ‘Having her back on our screens establishes her as a leading broadcaster in the UK. It felt like it was her show – she owned the rink.

‘She’s not Queen of daytime TV anymore – it looks like she’s Queen of primetime. It felt like Holly had somehow matured and I can see her branching into more serious stuff now.

‘She’s always been able to do light entertainment with serious topics on This Morning and I can now see her doing documentaries or big sit-down interviews with stars, which would be really compelling viewing.’

They added that she was moving away from the ‘giggly Disney princess version of Holly’ as she led the presenting duo with confidence.

It comes as it was revealed that Dancing On Ice suffered its lowest ever viewing figures as host Holly made her TV comeback.

The Sunday night show, which saw stars including Amber Davies and Ricky Hatton take to the ice, had a launch viewing figure of just 3.6 million.

In comparison the launch was watched by 4.1 million in 2023 and 4.3 million in 2022. 2021’s opening show saw 5.4 million tuning in while 2020’s figure was 5.1 million.

It marked a return to television for Holly, who has been absent from screens since she left This Morning in October after 14 years on the sofa.

As she returned to the rink, one expert told The Sun, that she appeared ‘more grown up’ and could ‘relaunch her career’ with a move to her own solo show in the future

She also opted for a very sexy silver dress look in a switch up from her more casual ensembles on This Morning

The programme also reunited the TV star with Stephen Mulhern, who has replaced Phillip as host of the skating show.

She previously worked with Stephen on Saturday morning children’s show Ministry Of Mayhem 20 years ago.

The show was later titled Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown.

Stephen, 46, hosted the show briefly in 2022 after Phillip tested positive for Covid-19.

Before the show Holly posted on Instagram: ‘Let’s do this 1 sequin at a time.’

On Sunday, the series kicked off with an opening performance from the professional skaters and the introduction of the new celebrity contestants.

Holly, who wore a silver sparkly dress, said: ‘To the greatest show on ice, and let’s hear it for the amazing cast of 2024. Let me just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern.’

In the episode, Ricky was put into next week’s skate-off after a boxing-inspired performance failed to thrill the judges or TV audience.

The 45-year-old former world champion boxer received 12.5 points from the judges and could face elimination next week following a public vote.

Dressed in a boxing outfit, Ricky wore knee pads as he did mini-punches and press-ups on the ice to Rocky movie theme tune Gonna Fly Now by Bill Conti, with his professional skating partner Robin Johnstone.

Judge Ashley Banjo said the routine was ‘iconic’ and Hatton could be proud of the audience’s reaction.

She quit her This Morning role after the plot came to light which came just a few months after Phillip Schofield left as her co-host after his affair with a younger show runner came to light

Topping the leaderboard with the judges was former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, who scored 26.5 points with partner Amani Fancy.

His energetic performance to Kings Of Leon’s Sex On Fire, featuring a pirouette move, was called ‘absolutely brilliant’ by judge Oti Mabuse.

Love Island winner and West End star Davies, Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi, Olympian Greg Rutherford and S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt also performed during the launch show.

Next week, radio presenter Adele Roberts, EastEnders star Ricky Norwood, actress Claire Sweeney, reality TV personality Miles Nazaire, comedian and writer Lou Sanders, and former ski-jumper Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards compete for the first time.