Holly Willoughby is reportedly enjoying her role on Dancing on Ice more than ever since the departure of her long-time co-host, Phillip Schofield. 

Now paired with Stephen Mulhern, the 43-year-old presenter is said to have found a new level of joy and connection on the show, 

which she has hosted since its inception in 2006.

A New Co-Host Brings Fresh Energy

Holly’s former co-host, Phillip Schofield, left Dancing on Ice and ITV in May 2023 after publicly admitting to an affair with a younger colleague from This Morning. 

His resignation marked the end of a 17-year partnership with Holly on the skating competition.

Stephen Mulhern, who temporarily replaced Phillip in 2022 when he was sidelined by COVID-19, has since stepped into the role permanently. His addition to the show has reportedly reinvigorated the dynamic on set.

Professional ice skater Andy Buchanan, who partnered with Chelsee Healey during the current season, shared his perspective on how the atmosphere has shifted. Speaking to The Mirror, he explained, “I feel like I’ve got to know Holly way more since Stephen’s been on. He just opened that door.”

Andy added, “Stephen’s hilarious. He jokes around and chats to everyone. Now, Holly jokes more, she’s more open, and she chats with us more. To be honest, it wasn’t like that before Stephen came.”

According to Andy, Stephen Mulhern has been a transformative addition to the show: “I have to say, Stephen Mulhern was the greatest addition to the show.”

Holly’s Lighter, Happier Presence

Fans and insiders alike have noticed a lighter, more relaxed Holly on this season of Dancing on Ice. The change has been attributed to her refreshed partnership with Stephen, who has brought a fun and approachable energy to the series.

Holly’s renewed enthusiasm is evident on-screen as she interacts more openly with the cast and crew, something that may not have been as pronounced during previous seasons.

A Promising Start to the New Series

The 2025 series of Dancing on Ice is already off to an exciting start, with standout performances capturing the audience’s attention just two weeks in. One early favorite, The Traitors star Mollie Pearce, wowed the judges and viewers with her debut performance. Skating to Olivia Rodrigo’s Vampire with professional partner Colin Grafton, Mollie completed six lifts and earned a score of 29.5 out of 40.

Fans took to social media to rave about her routine, with posts on X (formerly Twitter) declaring Mollie a contender for the title:

“Definitely the best skate so far of all of this year’s couples. That was a brilliant performance from Mollie and Colin.”

“Need Mollie Pearce to be the first woman to win #DancingOnIce in 12 years because that was IT!!”

“Early prediction: Mollie for the win.”

First Elimination Shakes Things Up

Despite the strong start for some contestants, the season also delivered its first elimination. Chelsee Healey and Andy Buchanan were the first couple to leave the competition after scoring 22 points last weekend. In a format twist, there was no skate-off, and comedian Josh Jones advanced to Movie Night after landing in the bottom two alongside Chelsee.

A Bright Future for Dancing on Ice

As the new season continues, the fresh dynamic brought by Stephen Mulhern appears to have breathed new life into Dancing on Ice. Holly Willoughby’s evident happiness and the enthusiastic reception of standout contestants like Mollie Pearce are setting the stage for an engaging and memorable season.

Holly’s transformation into a more open and lighthearted presence on the show has not gone unnoticed, and fans are eager to see how her renewed energy will shape the series moving forward. With a promising lineup of contestants and the continued chemistry between Holly and Stephen, Dancing on Ice looks set for another exciting year.

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