Holly Willoughby being 'lined-up' for hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing
BBC bosses want to lure Holly away from ITV
Last updated 4th Jul 2023
She's one of the main faces on ITV, but with all of the recent drama surrounding This Morning and her former co-host Phillip Schofield, it sounds like BBC bosses are keen to lure Holly Willoughby away from the broadcaster.
According to new reports, following Holly's appearance on Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof last year, BBC bosses are lining up Holly for a hosting role on popular entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing.
A source told Mail Online: "Holly is the golden goose. BBC bosses want her and they have been plotting for some time to get her for their big shows.
"They know how popular she is, but it also has to be the right programme.
"Recently there has been talk around the BBC that Strictly would be a way to lure her over. There are ideas of how she could slot in – nobody is quite sure about that yet but they think she would be perfect.
"It seems like a big project to get her to do it, and would mean moving things around on the show somehow, but there are some executives at the BBC who want it to happen."
As Strictly fans will know, loveable pair Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman currently host the show, with Claudia taking over from Sir Bruce Forsyth, following his sad passing in 2017.
Check out the rumoured line-up for Strictly 2023 below:
Delta Goodrem
2026 is set to be a busy year for singer Delta Goodrem. As well as representing Australia at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, reports are rife Delta has very nearly signed up for Strictly later in the year. A source told the Daily Mail newspaper's Eden Confidential column: "It is all but a done deal. They've been trying to get her for years. Obviously, she is a good name for the show."
Josie Gibson
As well as landing a brand new show with ITV/STV called How To Clean Up For Cash, former Big Brother star and This Morning presenter Josie Gibson is reportedly being lined-up for the 2026 series of Strictly.
A source told a national newspaper: "Josie has been on the BBC's radar for a while and they've not given up their pursuit. They're hoping this year is the year, and talks are progressing well. Bosses are convinced her down-to-earth charm will be the boost this year's new-look show needs. Warm and engaging, she's just what they require right now and will be a sure-fire hit with fans."
Stacey Solomon
Another well-known name on this year's rumoured list is Stacey Solomon! Stacey is no strange to working with the BBC, with her show Sort Your Life Out now onto its sixth series, as well as her reality show Stacey & Joe airing last year. With the mum-of-five being a fan favourite, bosses will be keen to get her signature.
Tom Parker Bowles
Food critic Tom Parker Bowles, also known as Queen Camilla's son, was reportedly top of the BBC's wish list for the 2025 series. However, after Tom didn't appear on the line-up, could we see him on the 2026 series?
Dani Dyer
Reality star Dani Dyer was set to take part in the 2025 series, but she was forced to pull out just days ahead of the first live show after fracturing her ankle in training. Dani has expressed her interest in returning, so could we see her in 2026?
The rumours arrive at a turbulent time for 42-year-old Holly, who recently cut ties with her former best friend Phillip Schofield, after he resigned from ITV with immediate effect after admitting to an affair with a younger, male colleague.
Following two weeks off from hosting This Morning, Holly made her return on 5th June. Holding back the tears at the start of the show, she said: "Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you okay? I hope so. It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil and I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have - shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what's been going on. And full of questions.
"You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process and it's equally hard to see the toll that it's taken on their own mental health."
She continued: "I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and wellbeing of everyone. I hope that as we start this new chapter, and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.
"And from my heart can I just say thank you for all of your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you the show that we love."
Despite the rumours, BBC bosses are yet to comment.
Strictly Come Dancing will return later in the year.
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