Dancing On Ice viewers baffled by ITV show as Phillip Schofield forced to present alone

Dancing On Ice viewers were left baffled when they tuned into the show to see Phillip Schofield hosting alone.

Holly Willoughby was absent from the show on Sunday (March 13) as Phil took on hosting duties by himself after she tested positive for Covid-19.

The This Morning presenter introduced the programme explaining that Holly was not able to be there for the semi-final and sending her his love.

However, viewers were confused as to why it was when Phil tested positive for Covid-19 and had to skip his hosting duties Holly needed a co-presenter, with Stephen Mulhern stepping in to help, but Phil was being allowed to continue alone.

Some even accused the decision of having sexism at it’s core as they took to Twitter to share their views, despite the last-minute announcement of Holly’s illness compared to ITV bosses having several days to source a replacement for Phil.

One viewer questioned the move writing: “So when @Schofe isn’t there, @hollywills needs a co-host, but when it’s the other way round Phillip doesn’t? Good ol’ fashioned gender bias from @ITV tonight. #DancingOnIce.”

Another added: “I’m going to add my voice to the complaint that Holly couldn’t host alone but Phil can?! #DancingOnIce #sexism.”

A third chimed in: “Hang on. The other week when Phil had to stay away, Stephen Mulhern was brought in to co-host with Holly. This week, Holly is the one homesick, and Phil is hosting by himself. The implication that Holly wasn’t capable of doing it by herself. Sexism, much @ITV? #DancingOnIce.”

Another bewildered viewer posted: “Why is no one standing in for Holly? Stephen stood in for Phil.”

A fifth social media user tweeted: “Phil gets covid so Stephen Mulhern steps in alongside Holly. Holly gets covid and Phil presents alone? Why couldn’t Holly present alone then? #DancingOnIce #moderndaysexism.”

Another viewer agreed: “Why didn’t they bring someone in to co-host with Schofield like they did a few weeks back with Holly when he was off sick, when they had Mulhern on to help her? #DancingOnIce.”

The criticism continued as a fan shared: “So when the Schofield was off they got in the Mulhern but now Holly is off the Schofield is presenting by himself??!! Double standards, double standards @ITV #DancingOnIce.”

However, other fans were fully supportive of Phil’s solo presenting stint, as one praised him: “Well done Phillip you have done a great job presenting solo tonight it’s been such a great semi final and I’m so happy for Regan, Kimberly and Brendan! I can’t wait for the final and hopefully we’ll have Holly back again!”

And someone else explained: “I think they said at the start that she tested positive earlier and didn’t have enough time to find someone to stand in for Holly!”

Stephen is also unavailable to host due to his own health issues which saw him discharged from hospital just days ago under doctor’s orders to rest following an unknown procedure.

He opened up on Twitter on Saturday (March 12): “Hello all, Sorry I’ve been quiet on here recently and thank you for all your lovely messages. I’ve had some time off and been resting up on doctors orders. I’m on the mend, I’m happy to say, and looking forward to getting back to work soon. In the meantime…

“… I’ll put my feet up and watch Saturday Night Takeaway tonight with the rest of you lot. Please don’t miss me too much! Lots of love, Stephen. X”.

DailyStar.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk