Schofield’s ITV Departure Presents Punters With Options
Author:
Roy Brindley
Betting on who will replace Philip Schofield as the co-host of This Morning was suspended on Monday. Bookmakers pulled the shutters down on the market following the announcement that Dermot O’Leary will present This Morning alongside stalwart Holly Willoughby for the next two weeks.
The pair presented This Morning together for a short period a decade ago. They were also co-presenters on The X Factor’s spin-off show in 2008. Before this week’s news, O’Leary was 7/2 to share the main presenter’s role with Willoughby on the sofa of ITV’s flagship daytime show.
Will Dermot O’Leary be chosen to replace Philip Schofield and sit alongside Holly Willoughby on the This Moring sofa? ©GettyImages
Before the weekend, novelty betting sites marginally favored Irish TV presenter Craig Doyle and Ryland Clark for the job. 2010 Big Brother winner Jose Gibson was 7/2, and Alison Hammond could have been backed at 4/1.
An Avalanche of Money on Ice Betting?
Following the money has been a profitable policy when betting on replacement TV presenters. Last year Maya Jama justified an avalanche of public support when confirmed as the new presenter of Love Island.
With This Morning’s latest move, betting on Philip Schofield’s replacement may remain closed until O’Leary is confirmed or ruled out of the running for the job. However, online betting sites have now turned their attention to who will present the next series of Dancing On Ice.
Philip Schofield hosted the show from 2006 to 2023. Holly Willoughby shared presenting duties with the crestfallen star in 12 of Dancing on Ice’s 15 previous seasons – including every year since 2018.
Could It Be Dancing on Cruise Control for McDonald?
This time the betting suggests Willoughby will leave the show altogether, and a new couple will front the celebrity talent show that airs between January and March. At 1/2 odds, Rochelle and Marvin Humes – who have periodically presented the This Morning show during summer holiday periods – are the hot favorites.
Ant & Dec are the second favorites. They recently revealed they will step away from Saturday Night Takeaway after its 20th series airs next year. The news makes their 7/1 odds very interesting. Dancing on Ice currently attracts a respectable audience of four million, and ITV knows this figure would leap if the popular duo were to put their unique spin on proceedings.
But Holly Willoughby could stay on, and if that is the case Jane McDonald should be considered as her potential new Dancing on Ice co-host. Interestingly, the singer replaced Schofield as host of the British Soap Awards earlier this month.
Shooting to fame in the BBC’s docuseries The Cruise in 1998, McDonald has nine years of experience on ITV, having been a panelist on Loose Women from 2004. At 10/1 odds, she appears a candidate with strong credentials and is worthy of a small financial interest.
