The famous faces who could replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning

Holly quit the show in October

Author: Alex RossPublished 6th Nov 2023
Last updated 14th Nov 2023

2023 has so far seen a lot of change for popular daytime show This Morning, with regular hosts and former best friends Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield being separated, following Phillip's affair with a younger male colleague.

After Phillip stepped down from the show in mid-May, he resigned from ITV all together later in the month, leaving his roles on shows such as The British Soap Awards, The Cube and Dancing On Ice.

And whilst many thought ITV/STV bosses would announce Phillip's permanent replacement over the summer holidays, it was later revealed nobody would join Holly on a permanent basis, instead members of the This Morning family would step in alongside her.

Just as the programme seemed to be getting back on its feet, Holly then released a statement on Tuesday 10th October, revealing she'd made the tough decision to quit the show after 14 years.

As the show goes through a transitional period, take a look at all of the famous faces who could replace Holly on a permanent basis

Who is replacing Holly on This Morning?

Alison Hammond

Alison Hammond is the Friday host alongside Dermot O'Leary, but she's currently one of the favourites to take the full time role.

Dermot O'Leary

He hosts the show on a Friday alongside Alison Hammond, but fans would love to see Dermot O'Leary in a more full time role.

Josie Gibson

As well as being a loved member of the This Morning team, Josie has been promoted to host in recent months during the holidays, alongside Irishman Craig Doyle. And now she's appearing in I'm A Celeb, will she host the show permanently in 2024?

Cat Deeley

After joining Rylan Clark in November 2023 to host the show, fans were calling for Cat Deeley to become a permanent presenter!

Craig Doyle

Craig joined the This Morning team in 2021, presenting competitions before being promoted to a stand-in host alongside Josie Gibson. In recent months, Craig has presented the main show alongside the likes of Alison Hammond, Mollie King, Rochelle Humes, and Holly Willoughby.


Since Phillip's departure, Craig has been presenting the show frequently alongside Holly.

Rylan Clark

Until recently, Rylan Clark was a regular face on This Morning, stepping in to host the show as well as being the showbiz reporter. Now there's a position going, will Rylan leave his radio show to return?

Stacey Solomon

Stacey Solomon is firm favourite at ITV, having been a popular panellist on Loose Women for a number of years. Following Phillip's departure earlier this year, many of Stacey's fans believed she'd hinted she could be about to replace him, after revealing she'd just had 'one of the most exciting meetings of my life.'

Marvin and Rochelle Humes

Rochelle is a current member of the This Morning team and has stepped in to host the show a number of times, and she's also number of other shows alongside her husband Marvin! The pair would be a great fit!

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford

Former Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and her husband Eamonn Holmes were replaced by bosses by Alison and Dermot, but could they be tempted to return to host the show?

Ben Shephard

Ben Shephard is a regular face on the ITV circuit - not only is he a regular presenter for Good Morning Britain, he also hosts daytime challenge show Tipping Point. He's an official stand-in on This Morning, having hosted alongside Holly in October, so could his role become more permanent?

Davina McCall

Davina is loved by TV fans across the UK, and she's been a regular guest on the show over the years, as well as occasionally stepping in to host.

Christine Lampard

Christine Lampard (née Bleakley) has been a stand-in for Holly Willoughby in the past, and she often presents Lorraine when Lorraine Kelly is off on holiday, meaning she's very well liked at ITV!

Gok Wan

Fashion guru and chef Gok Wan was a huge hit with viewers when he hosted the show alongside Rylan Clark back in 2018, and he's now a regular guest presenter on the show!

Vanessa Feltz

Vanessa Feltz has been a TV personality since 1992 - so she's VERY experienced. Having previously presented the show and often giving advice to callers, she wouldn't be a stranger to the show.

Abbey Clancy

Rumours are rife that TV presenter and model Abbey Clancy is the new favourite to replace Holly. The mum-of-four had a good relationship with ITV, having recently worked with them on Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes.

Hannah Waddingham

Actress and TV presenter Hannah Waddingham has also been thrown into the hat for the role. Known for roles on Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones and this year's Marks and Spencer Christmas advert, as well as presenting Eurovision 2023, Hannah would be a very popular choice.

ITV/STV bosses are yet to confirm who will replace Holly.

At the start of September, following Holly's extended break over the summer, This Morning lost out at the National Television Awards for the first time in 13 years.

The show lost out on the night to BBC series The Repair Shop in the Best Daytime Category, with members of the This Morning family taking to social media to congratulate Jay Blades and the rest of the crew.

Then, on 10th October, Holly released a statement to confirm she was leaving the show.

She wrote on social media: 'I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.

'To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.'

She continued: 'Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.

'Richard and Judy said 'we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers'. It's been an honour to just be part of it's story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.

'I will miss you all so much.

'Holly'. (sic)

This Morning airs every weekday at 10am on ITV and STV.

Now read:

This Morning lose out on National Television Award for first time in 13 years

Phillip Schofield's Dancing on Ice replacement 'being lined up'

Holly Willoughby being 'lined-up' for hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing

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