HOLLY WILLOUGHBY is set to address fans over her three-month TV absence during her opening introduction on Dancing On Ice.
And she will be surrounded by a string of security measures put in place by ITV bosses — while also planning to showcase some dazzling new dresses.
In her first on-screen appearance since she left This Morning in October, Holly will co-host Dancing On Ice’s opening show on January 14 with Stephen Mulhern.
And at the start of the ITV1 series, she will briefly reference her absence following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
The 42-year-old star has kept a low profile since quitting This Morning after news of the alleged plan broke.
An insider revealed: “Holly is really looking forward to putting 2023 behind her and focusing on a fresh, positive start to a new year.
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“She is considering a very brief comment at the top of the opening show, along the lines of, ‘It’s good to be back,’ or ‘Thanks for your support’, drawing a firm line under her hiatus and marking the beginning of a new optimistic term.
“She absolutely loves Dancing On Ice and all the joy, glitz and sparkle it brings to viewers, especially in gloomy January, and she is always grateful to be a part of the production.
“She loves the team and has a great rapport with her friend Stephen Mulhern, as well as all the judges on the show.
“They always have fun and that’s what she is really excited about.
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“Holly’s glad to be putting her energy into entertainment again after some time away.
“She’s a total professional and as always will be putting her heart and soul into the show.”
The Sun on Sunday can also reveal that Holly will reunite with her long-term trusted stylist Dannii Whiteman, who she worked with exclusively during her 14-year career at This Morning, to pick some eye-catching gowns.
While hosting the dance show’s 16th series last winter, Holly wore stunning designer frocks including a £2,320 Josephine Scott number and a sequinned Nedret Taciroglu couture dress.
And her styles on This Morning — which she would post about on Instagram — were snapped up by viewers.
The insider added: “Holly’s outfits on This Morning used to fly off the shelves and sell out online when she posted them, and seeing what the fashionista wears is, in itself, a draw for viewers.
“No one pulls off glamour quite like Holly.
“Dannii has been scouting the fashion world for ideas of different dresses Holly can wear for the first few shows and the pair want to inject some fun into Holly’s wardrobe. There will be plenty of sequins, silk and glitz.
“When she stepped into hosting I’m A Celeb a few years ago, viewers went wild for her jungle outfits and it’s a part of her package.”
Dancing On Ice is filmed live at Bovingdon Airfield Studios in Hertfordshire and security checks are being carried out on audience members in advance of granting tickets.
The show has a capacity of 500 spectators, but the production company give a portion of tickets to friends and family of the cast and crew.
A source added: “Members of the public can apply to be in the audience, like always, by filling out an online form with their name, address and phone number in advance. Therefore basic security checks can be done.
“Audience participation is a big part of the show so it’s important the public is there. ITV is always very vigilant about security and have standard checks in place such as bag searches on arrival.”
The high profile star will be protected at all times travelling between home and the studio.
Bosses are excited for the on-screen reunion between Holly and long-time pal Stephen Mulhern.
Stephen, 46, replaced Phillip Schofield, who left ITV over his relationship with a young runner on This Morning.
In their 20s they fronted ITV children’s show Ministry Of Mayhem — later named Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown.
And they hosted Dancing On Ice together in 2022 when Stephen stood in after 61-year-old Phillip got Covid.
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of entertainment commissioning, said: “Reuniting them marks the start of an exciting year for the show.”
Stephen told The Sun in November: “Holly is a dream partner to work with.”
If Holly had not returned to Dancing On Ice, producers had drawn up a list of possible replacements including Josie Gibson, Rochelle Humes and Christine Lampard.
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But it was always Plan A to tempt her back.
- Dancing on Ice starts on ITV on Sunday, January 14.
