Phillip Schofield's new permanent replacement on This Morning set to be confirmed
Phillip Schofield on the This Morning sofa
ITV
Phillip Schofield’s permanent replacement on the This Morning sofa will likely soon be announced and the bookies have shortened one potential candidate's odds after viewers praised his “chemistry” with Holly Willoughby.
Willoughby, 42, made her return to This Morning earlier this week.
However, the odds for a potential This Morning co-host shortened yesterday as ITV viewers caught a glimpse of what the pair could bring to the show.
Dublin-born presenter Craig Doyle, 52, joined Willoughby on the This Morning sofa yesterday and earlier today.
Holly Willoughby returned to This Morning on Monday
ITVAn insider told The Sun: "Craig has a lot of other projects currently but would of course be interested in a permanent position.
"Who wouldn’t? It’s a dream role for any presenter."
If the response from This Morning viewers is anything like the past couple of days, then fans of the show certainly won’t be disappointed to see him on the sofa more permanently."
Several viewers took to social media to cheer on Willoughby and Doyle.
Craig Doyle (left) and Holly Willoughby (right) on This Morning
ITV
A fan wrote: "Love Holly and Craig...am I the only one seeing the chemistry."
Another commented: "Holly having a laugh with Craig."
Willoughby and Doyle were in hysterics over an innuendo about dog tails after a tough few weeks for the This Morning team.
Despite support from viewers on social media, bookmakers at BettingSites.co.uk suggest Dermot O’Leary edges slightly ahead of Doyle.
Dermot O'Leary (right) remains the bookies favourite
ITVWilloughby issued a statement about the scandal involving Schofield, 61, at the beginning of the programme on Monday.
Willoughby said: “Firstly, are you OK? It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil.
“And I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have - shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what's been going on, and full of questions.
“You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV, and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process.”