Published: 07:28 EDT, 14 October 2023 | Updated: 07:57 EDT, 14 October 2023

It is undoubtedly one of the most coveted jobs in television. And within minutes of Holly Willoughby quitting This Morning’s sofa on Tuesday, the phone was ringing off the hook to Bosses Emma Gormley and Kevin Lygo – with agents putting their celebrity clients forward for the role.

Sources at ITV say that names from news, sport, and entertainment have been in touch as the hunt began to find Ms Willoughby’s replacement. There have also been pleas from presenters who are employed by the BBC who are keen to defect to the rival broadcaster.

As well as having the prestigious job, stars are also aware that they then have the potential to build their own lucrative brands. Who’s in the running? ITV bosses are reportedly thinking about replacing Holly Willoughby with a married couple such as Emma and Matt Willis.

Contenders: Within minutes of Holly quitting, the phone was ringing off the hook to bosses Emma Gormley and Kevin Lygo – with agents putting their celebrity clients forward for the role A This Morning presenter told MailOnline: ‘The phones haven’t stopped ringing as television, radio personalities put their names forward to host the show. ‘Every broadcaster, from the world of news, sport, entertainment have been in touch with bosses. Agents have been in contact with ITV bosses to put forward their stars in the hope to take the helm of the two and a half hour daily show.’

This Morning has an incredibly loyal audience and has made household names out of its hosts over the past 35 years it’s been on air. ‘BBC bosses are nervous that some of their top talent may make the leap over to ITV as it’s the golden ticket in television at the moment. ‘So many previous stars including Holly have gone on to have lucrative commercial careers from the day job on the sofa. ‘They are only too aware that from being on the sofa for two-and-a-half hours every day, she launched her own lifestyle brand.’

Ms Gormley, ITV’s managing director of daytime, who is highly rated at the channel, has been tasked with finding Holly’s replacement. As well as looking for some familiar faces, they are also open to some ‘surprise’ names to relaunch the show in the new year.

Pair: Married couple Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch are also being considered by bosses. Potential: Davina McCall has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Holly. Host: Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden is also being considered by bosses. Resignation: The presenter took to Instagram to confirm she ‘will not be returning’ to the show. TV favourites: Bosses reportedly wanted to recreate the golden years of Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan who presented the show from 1988 until 2001 (pictured in 2019).

Names such as Davina McCall, Amanda Holden, and Graham Norton have been mentioned but Ms Gormley won’t be ruling out radio presenters, new talent, influencers, and even podcasters. Also discussed is a married couple, such as Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch or Joel Dommett and wife Hannah or Emma Willis and her husband Matt, in the hope they might recreate the golden years of Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.

The source added: ‘Bosses are keen to get it right, so there will be no knee jerk decisions, it’s about making the right call on which duo has the right chemistry to take the show through to the next era of its 35-year run.’

Holly announced she was leaving This Morning after 14 years in a shock statement shared on Instagram. She wrote: ‘This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day. It’s been an honor to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much.’

Share or comment on this article: EXCLUSIVE: ITV is inundated with calls from agents putting their celeb clients forward to replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning – as bosses eye married couple to be next Richard and Judy.

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