Stephen Mulhern’s future on Dancing on Ice has been ‘exposed’ following a “dramatic fall in interest” for the show.
The TV favourite was enlisted to front the latest series of the ITV programme earlier this year. Along with Holly Willoughby, the pair welcomed a slew of famous faces to the ice.
The likes of Ryan Thomas, Amber Davies and Ricky Norwood have all showed off their best moves on the ice in a bid to take home the crown. Judges Ashley Banjo, Oti Mabus, Jayne Torville, and Christopher Dean all returned too – to give their feedback on the celebrities.
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And after weeks of jaw-dropping performances, the long-awaited final kicks off on Sunday night (March 10). Ryan, Miles Nazaire Adele Roberts and Greg Rutherford are all battling it out to take home the Dancing on Ice crown.
(Image: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
However, now the bookies and a PR expert have shared their thoughts on Stephen and Holly’s future on the show following “a dramatic fall in interest.”
In exclusive odds provided by InstantCasinos, the bookies have Holly and Stephen at 4/5 (55% chance) to host Dancing on Ice next year. But it seems for Holly, there would be a rival show that is “eyeing her up.”
Speaking exclusively to Daily Star, Dom Aldworth, Head of Brand Marketing at Slingo, noted how the launch episode drew its lowest-ever viewing figures of 3.6 million. The expert said “At one point the show was drawing in over 12 million viewers, showing a dramatic fall in interest in the show.
Dom then shared how Holly and Stephen have “received mixed reactions” when it comes to them being a presenting duo. He explained: “Some fans are enjoying Mulhern’s ‘cheeky behaviour’, while others are less keen, saying Willoughby and Mulhern lack chemistry and balance.”
(Image: ITV)
Because of this, the expert reckons that if Holly was to leave the show, a rival programme would be ready and waiting for her. He said: “A role on BBC’s The Gladiators reboot could be in the cards.
“The show is produced by her husband Dan Baldwin and is hosted by Bradley Walsh, whom Willoughby previously presented Take Off with, so she is likely she is being eyed up for the role.”
As for Stephen’s future on the show, Dom said it is “in the hands of ITV bosses”. He noted: “His stints on Dancing On Ice have received both positive and negative attention.
“So it all depends on the direction the show wants to go in. If they are looking to make the show more lighthearted and comedic, Mulhern is a good fit for the presenting role.”
(Image: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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It comes after Daily Mail reported that Holly has been offered a “lucrative deal” to get her back on the show and keep her with the channel. They’re currently in talks with the presenter to get her on board for another year as they prepare to return for 2025.
A source told the publication that contracts are being negotiated. They added: “The chiefs love her and they know that there are others who would love to sign her up but ITV love her and they want to keep her very much part of the ITV furniture for years to come.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
