Holly Willoughby could be heading Down Under later this year after being tipped as the new favourite to replace Ant McPartlin on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!.
According to a new report, Holly is said to be ITV’s preferred choice to co-host the popular reality show alongside Ant’s sidekick Declan Donnelly.
The whispers come after Ant confirmed he is taking a break from TV as he focuses on his recovery, meaning he will not be joining Dec in the jungle this year.
Since the news broke, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive – with one insider even claiming Scarlett Moffatt could be offered the job.
But sources have now tipped This Morning host Holly as the hot favourite.
READ MORE: Ant McPartlin’s message to fans after confirming he will miss I’m A Celebrity
An insider told The Mirror: “Holly is very close friends with Ant and Dec and both she and Phil [Schofield] have been backing Ant since his troubles.
“Ant and Dec both love her and I am sure they’d be thrilled if she got the job.
“They share a management company so Holly already knows what being in the jungle for weeks entails.”
Apparently, although official talks among show bosses are yet to take place, ITV would like a female co-host for Dec.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, 42-year-old Ant released a statement as his break from TV was confirmed.
Along with the news about his absence from I’m A Celebrity, it was also revealed that Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway will not return to screens until 2020.
Lifting the lid on his recovery, Ant said: “My recovery is going very well and for that to continue having spoken to Dec and ITV, I have made the decision to take the rest of the year off.
“I’d like to thank both Dec and ITV for their continued support and I look forward to getting back to work in the new year.”
Offering his support to his best mate, Dec added: “Whilst I am obviously sad at the thought of being without my best friend in Australia this year, I am proud of the work Ant has been doing privately and I am fully supportive of his decision.
“I’m looking forward to us both being reunited on screen in 2019.”
ITV Director of Television Kevin Lygo meanwhile, said: “ITV is completely supportive of Ant taking as much time as he needs in his recovery and of this mutual decision to rest Takeaway in 2019.”
After a stint in rehab to tackle drink issues and painkiller addiction last summer, Ant returned to TV to present I’m A Celebrity alongside Dec in November last year.
He was also by Dec’s side when the new series of Saturday Night Takeaway kicked off in March.
But Dec had to present the final two episodes of the show himself, after Ant was involved in a drink-drive crash in London.
Dec, 42, also hosted the Britain’s Got Talent finals on his own.
READ MORE: Ant McPartlin updates fans on his recovery