They’ve been presenting together since 823 after hostingDancing On Iceand going on to become the faces of This Morning.
AndHolly Willoughby, (****************************************, and Phillip Schofield have gushed about their friendship ahead of the hit skating show’s return to screens on Sunday January 5.
Speaking about their TV partnership Phillip, 60, said it has lasted so long because ‘we think at the same speed, we’ve got the same sense of humor. It works so well. ‘
Pals: Holly Willoughby, (************************************, and Phillip Schofield, (************************************, have gushed about their friendship ahead of Dancing On Ice returning to TV screens on Sunday January 5
The duo started presenting Dancing On Ice together back in 2006, with it being Holly’s first ‘grown-up’ TV gig.
She said: ‘For me, I had just come from kids telly, Dancing on Ice was the first grown-up telly I had ever done.
‘Even if I had dreamt the best possible outcome, I would never have expected this [such a longstanding working relationship with Phillip].’
Phillip added that the pair were also surprised with how successful Dancing On Ice was and admitted he was scared of how the show would be received.
Throwback: The duo, who also present This Morning together, first hosted the hit ice skating show together in (pictured)
He said: ‘We were terrified, the pair of us were really scared. It was a very big show and a big new idea.
‘There is also an element of danger with Dancing on Ice, which we don’t have in anything else. You’re constantly thinking “Wow. Someone could hurt themselves here. And it’s live!”
‘So, that’s why it worked so perfectly because we think at the same speed, we ‘ve got the same sense of humor. It works so well. ‘
The new series of Dancing On Ice will star (LR) Ben Hanlin, Lisa George, Libby Clegg MBE, Perri Kiely, Joe Swash , Lucrezia Millarini, Caprice Bourret, Trisha Goddard, Kevin Kilbane, Maura Higgins, Ian H Watkins and Michael Barrymore
Oops: Gemma Collins, 59, fell to the ground in the final moments of her routine during the 2018 series, with Holly and Phillip saying it has ‘gone down in Dancing On Ice history’
Phillip and Holly have presented the show together since (****************************, although Christine Lampard did step into the position for three series from 2014 and 2018.
Speaking about their memories of the first show, Holly said it was ‘terrifying’ and that she can’t remember anything as she was concentrating so hard.
Dancing On Ice, which this year will star Maura Higgins and Joe Swash, returned with a bang in 2020 – with Phillip saying that Gemma Collins was a standout contestant.
He said: ‘She is a wonderous participant to have. She gave more than we possibly imagined she could have. ‘
‘ Groundbreaking ‘: Ian H Watkins and Matt Evers will skate in the show’s first same sex couple in January, with Holly saying she’s ‘very proud of Dancing on Ice’ for the matching
Duo: H, left, and professional skater Matt, right, will take to the ice together on January 5
Holly agreed, saying that Gemma’s fall has’ gone down in Dancing On Ice history ‘.
She said:’ We don’t want anyone to get hurt but that fall is replayed over and over again. It’s going to be in every montage for the rest of time now. It was such a moment and it was ok because she was ok. ‘
Speaking about the upcoming series Holly revealed that she’s looking forward to seeing Matt Evers and former Steps singer Ian’ H ‘Watkins’ same-sex coupling.
Wow: Skater Alexandra Schauman looked sensational in a frilled pink dress as she showed off her moves in some promo shots ahead of the show’s launch
Smile: Alexandra is paired with presenter and EastEnders star Joe Swash
Hopeful: Joe appeared to be full of confidence as he posed for the show’s official pictures
When asked what she’s intrigued to see, Holly said: ‘I think Matt and H, because that is groundbreaking. I think what that symbolises and what that means on how far we’ve come.
‘A primetime show has a same-sex couple skating together and why shouldn’t they? It should have been happening a long time ago. For that reason, I’m very proud of Dancing on Ice. ‘
And after watching dozens of on ice performances over the years, Holly and Phillip already know what they would perform if they took to the rink.
Confident: Perri Kiely and Vanessa Bauer are also hoping to wow with their skating skills
Smooth moves: Diversity dance troupe member Perri, left, will be swapping the dance floor for the ice rink During the show (pictured right is his professional partner Vanessa)
Holly said she’d like a Disney’s Frozen theme, but added: I’d like to do the training but truthfully the thing that stops me is that I would be so nervous to do it front of so many people, which is mad when I can stand there in front of people and talk.
‘But it’s a completely different skill and the ice has its own life, you can’t control it! There is too much jeopardy there for me to do it. I’d be too scared. ‘
While Phillip said:’ As this is hypothetical, I would skate out to the Greatest Showman. I would sing it as well. I would be the first person to sing it as I was skating it. ‘
It comes afterPhillip was accused of creating a ‘toxic atmosphere’ for his This Morning co-stars, with allegations of ongoing spats with Holly and stand-in hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes.
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Who to impress: Ashley Banjo, John Barrowman MBE, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are back on the judging panel for the new series
Newcomer: Actor John was confirmed as a judge in September and is replacing Jason Gardiner
It is claimed eight different ITV presenters have broken their silence regarding Phillip’s attitude.
A report stated the situation behind the scenes at This Morning had become ‘toxic’ in recent months, with employees too scared to speak out publicly for fear of backlash.
An ITV source toldThe Sun: ‘For so long people have been silenced because they are scared for their job. If they speak out publicly about the atmosphere they fear there could be repercussions. ‘
Strike a pose: Carolotta Edwards and magician Ben Hanlin will also compete in the hit show
Getting ready: Ben, right, presented ITV2 series Tricked from 2013 to 2018 but will now try his luck at ice skating with pro Carolotta, left
Almost time: Coronation Street star Lisa George has been partnered with Tom Naylor
An insider close to Holly added: ‘It’s true there have been some issues. They’re like brothers and sisters – they have ups and downs but love each other. ‘
The Mail On Sunday revealed relations between Phillip, Ruth, (************************************, and Eamonn, ************************************, are said to be so bad that the couple snubbed the show’s Christmas party to avoid him.
The Friday presenters were surprisingly absent from the no-expense-spared dinner at a West London restaurant where 59 of their colleagues enjoyed a four-course meal and champagne.
Excited: The actress has already tweeted about her upcoming stint on the show, which starts in less than two weeks time
First time: The 01575879 series will be Tom’s first on the show as he also works as a doctor and orthopedic surgeon
Countdown: Dancing On Ice returns to TV screens on Sunday January 5 (pictured are Trisha Goddard and Lukasz Rozycki)
Hitting back at the reports, a spokesperson for ITV said: ‘It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.
‘Phillip is a much respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of this Morning that we recognize.
‘Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.’
Phil also slammed the rumors as he discussed their sibling-like relationship during the Dancing On Ice launch.
Work it: TV presenter Trisha Goddard looked stunning as she posed up a storm in some skates and a frilled dress
Moves: Polish skating sensation Lukasz Rozycki, pictured, is partnered with Trisha
Legends: Back on the judging panel for another year are Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill
The TV star said: ‘Can you imagine a feud between us ever happening? It’s not as if we have to defend anything.
‘It’s a shame … we are so open on the show, we are so open online and we go on holiday together. Holly is the sister I never had, we think at the same speed. It’s so organic… it’s a shame.
‘Everyone who knows us, I mean, everyone at This Morning was like, “What the hell?” The atmosphere in our studio is so wonderful, there’s such a lovely team. Everyone is lovely. ‘
Skills: Dancer Ashley Banjo will help judge the routines, including his fellow Diversity troupe member Perri’s moves
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