BBC bosses are reportedly “eyeing up” Holly Willoughby to host the broadcaster’s new game show, Gladiators.
Producers are hoping the former This Morning presenter will become the new Ulrika Jonsson – who hosted the original version of the show on ITV in the 90s.
The move would see the 42-year-old join fellow presenters Bradley Walsh and his son Barney as joint hosts of the reboot’s second series.
A TV insider told The Sun: “The BBC love Brad and Barney, but it’s also been proved Brad and Holly have an amazing dynamic as they featured together on the Beeb show Take Off.”
“Since Holly’s departure from This Morning, lots of channels and broadcasters have been thinking about what she could bring to their shows.”
“And as she’s such a big star, she’s a natural fit for a huge entertainment show, which the reboot of Gladiators unquestionably is.”
The first series has been filmed and is set to air in January 2024, while the second series is to be filmed next summer.
“The Beeb will let the dust settle on her This Morning exit, and for the first series to run, before kicking off talks. But she’s an obvious choice to become the new Ulrika,” the source added.
Ulrika Jonsson presented the iconic 90’s show on ITV from 1992 to 2000, and now it looks like BBC bosses are keen to have Holly on board for the reboot.
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Following on from Holly’s shock departure from This Morning, it has been debated whether the host will return to present ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
However, The Sun previously reported that Holly is “in no rush” to return to present the 2024 series of the show, after details of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her were revealed.
