Holly and Dec on IAC
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Dec Donnelly drops huge hint Holly Willoughby will return to I’m A Celeb next year

She was definitely a hit with viewers

Dec Donnelly has fuelled rumours that Holly Willoughby will return to I’m A Celebrity next year following her success on the show.

While heaping praise on Holly, who stepped in for Ant McPartlin as he takes the rest of the year off to focus on his sobriety, Dec gifted her with a classic jungle T-Shirt, which he told her was “for next year”.

His comment made many fans wondering whether Holly could return to the show as a contestant, rather than a presenter!

Dec gave Holly her own I’m A Celebrity T-shirt (Credit: ITV Player)

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Talking to the This Morning host on I’m A Celebrity – Coming Out, Dec said: “The biggest thanks from me is to you, so here’s a jungle T-shirt with your name on it, that’s for next year.”

He added: “I know who i’ll be voting for in the trials.”

Fans went wild on Twitter, hoping this meant that Holly would be a campmate next year.

“Omg is that a hint that Holly is going to be one of the celebs next year?!?!” one person wrote.

Another said: “Was that a hint for next year?”

A third added: “@imacelebrity does this mean Holly’s going to be in it next year????”

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But others were more hopeful this meant she would be returning to presenting duties, with one writing: “They basically just confirmed Holly will be presenting again next year #ImACeleb”

Another wrote: “I’m begging that’s a foreshadow and not a tease!”

Bosses are said to be keen to get Holly to return after 12.1 million viewers tuned in to see Harry Redknapp crowned King of the Jungle.

holly willoughby i'm a celeb declan donnelly
Viewers loved Holly and Dec as a presenting duo (Credit: ITV)

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Meanwhile, bookies have also said Holly is odds-on favourite to return alongside Ant and Dec next year, with Betfair’s Alan Alger saying: “The newly formed duo are our even money favourites to present the show in 2019, with Dec’s regular on-screen partner 7/4 to make it a three-way line-up.”

However Holly’s This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield isn’t keen on losing his “telly wife” again next year, dismissing claims of a return and insisting her role was as a “caretaker” and joking: “Don’t get too attached.”

Would you like Holly to permanently replace Ant? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor