Holly Willoughby is going through the largest quandary of her profession

Eleven lengthy months in the past, it was enterprise as regular for Holly Willoughby: ‘And so the story of Dancing On Ice 2023 begins … see you on @dancingonice at 6.30,’ she wrote to her 8.5 million Instagram followers.

Her pleasure that the ITV skating present was again was there to see. If any additional proof have been wanted, she posted a second image accompanied by the prerequisite shot of her with ‘bestie’ and co-star, Phillip Schofield, beaming for the digicam.

Holly at all times seemed ahead to January as a result of it was her likelihood to get dolled up in fairytale attire to host the present alongside Schofield, whom she adored a lot.

‘As quickly as Christmas went, Holly would get giddy about Dancing On Ice,’ says a good friend of the star.

‘It was fantastic gentle reduction for her, there was no grilling of MPs or doing evaluations of the information, simply the prospect to have amusing with Phil and put on probably the most gorgeous attire whereas entertaining the British public. She cherished it.’

But, as occasions have proven, 11 months is an awfully very long time on the earth of Holly and Phil. Since then, Phil has left ITV underneath an almighty cloud following his admission he had an affair with a a lot youthful colleague and later lied about it.

Then in October, Holly, stepped down as co-host of This Morning, after an alleged plot emerged to kidnap and homicide her, by former safety guard Gavin Plumb.

Now there’s each likelihood she will not be coming again to Dancing On Ice both.

The present’s return is only a matter of weeks away — Sunday, January 7 is the launch night time — however Holly is but to make her thoughts up over whether or not she is going to join.

It has, mates inform me, turn out to be the largest quandary of her profession — and has left ITV on tenterhooks over who will take Holly’s place if the star decides she can not resume her function alongside alternative male host Stephen Mulhern.

Television insiders worry a choice to tug out might doubtlessly sign the tip of Holly’s reside broadcasting days.

‘Holly has acquired herself in a proper state about it,’ says one good friend. ‘She completely loves ITV, she is loyal to them and so they have been extraordinarily loyal to her, however she’s simply undecided if she will be able to do it.

‘Holly does not wish to let anybody down. It is actually the hardest determination for her. I imply, what do you do? It begins in just a few weeks, she is aware of that. It’s an enormous quandary.’

I’m informed that she has developed a worry of internet hosting reside tv after horrific threats have been alleged to have been made in direction of her.

Holly was left so shaken that she determined to go away This Morning with speedy impact.

‘When you could have that reside feed in your ear and the cameras rolling, it is just about inconceivable to consider anything, or know anything,’ says a well- positioned supply.

‘And with what Holly has been confronted with up to now few months, that could be a exhausting dedication to make. She’s fearful, she’s terrified and it’s completely terrible for her.’

Her retreat from the limelight extends past her TV roles. Holly, 42, has even put her commitments with Marks & Spencer and L’Oreal on maintain as a result of she desires to be at residence along with her three younger youngsters. Over at ITV, I’m informed, producers are attempting to stay calm — regardless of the ticking clock.

‘With a present like Dancing On Ice there’s little or no prep that wants to enter it,’ an insider tells me. ‘It is a case of turning up and studying an autocue, however behind the scenes there’s a lot to get sorted.’

Mulhern, who hosts ITV sport reveals Catchphrase and Deal Or No Deal, is a detailed good friend of Holly and has agreed to step into Schofield’s footwear. They haven’t got a stand-in for Holly ready within the wings, nonetheless, which means that each one hopes are pinned on her.

To their credit score, they’ve been extraordinarily affected person.

‘We love her,’ mentioned an ITV govt. ‘She has been via probably the most torrid of occasions and we now have tried to assist her the very best we will although there’s little or no that may make this higher.’

What will not be removed from the entrance of Holly’s thoughts is that Dancing On Ice was one in all her first huge presenting jobs — alongside Phillip Schofield.

Often described as ITV’s reply to Strictly, it stars British skating sensations Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean who mentor superstar contestants. Over the years the judging panel has featured Jason Gardiner, Karen Barber and most lately Oti Mabuse. Holly is claimed to ‘adore’ a lot of them and for a lot of its run, it has felt ‘like a household’.

Many tv insiders say that if it weren’t for Dancing On Ice — and her rapport with Schofield — she may by no means have been promoted to the helm of This Morning.

Those who know Holly counsel that this might make it all of the extra of an emotional determination for her.

Holly is a type of who hasn’t forgotten the place she got here from, and who has helped her alongside the way in which,’ says an ITV insider.

‘Dancing On Ice was her first huge likelihood. Millions tuned in to look at her.’

With such a dilemma on her palms, Holly has turned to her extraordinarily loyal assist community. Perhaps probably the most influential is her husband of 16 years, TV producer Dan Baldwin.

‘Dan is aware of the sport however he additionally is aware of simply how delicate a time that is for Holly,’ says a good friend of the star. ‘It’s a type of conditions the place individuals may give her as a lot recommendation as they need however in the end it’s her determination.’

Also a part of Holly’s counsel are her dad and mom Linda and Brian, with whom she may be very shut. Then there’s older sister Kelly, a author with whom she has collaborated to pen youngsters’s books, and who is claimed to be the one to whom Holly turns in a disaster.

But it’s Holly’s ‘lady gang’ who’ve been doing their absolute best to rally their good friend because the kidnap plot threw her life into chaos.

Former All Saints singer Nicole Appleton has been a ‘rock’, as has Spice Girl Emma Bunton. Christine Lampard and her husband Frank have additionally been an enormous assist.

‘While no person can perceive what it really looks like for Holly proper now, there are individuals inside the trade who at the least perceive the nuts and bolts of contracts and determination making,’ says a good friend.

Just what that call is, ITV will simply have to attend and see.