Holly Willoughby is said to be happier than ever on Dancing On Ice following the departure of her former co-host Phillip Schofield.

The presenter, 43, is said to ‘joke around and chat more often’ since Stephen Mulhern joined the show.

Holly hosted alongside Phillip from its first series back in 2006, but he resigned from ITV after admitting to an affair with a younger This Morning colleague in May 2023.

Stephen stepped in as his permanent replacement after previously covering for Phillip in 2022 when he tested positive for Covid.

Speaking in an interview with The Mirror, professional ice skater Andy Buchanan, who was partnered with Chelsee Healey during this series, has now given an insight into how the show’s dynamic has changed.

He explained: ‘I feel like I’ve got to know Holly way more, since he’s been on. He [Stephen] just opened that door.’

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Holly Willoughby is said to be happier than ever on Dancing on Ice following the departure of her former co-host Phillip Schofield (pictured last weekend)

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Holly hosted alongside Phillip from it’s first series back in 2006, but he resigned from ITV after admitting to an affair with a younger This Morning colleague in May 2023 (pictured in 2023)

Andy continued: ‘He’s hilarious. He jokes around, chats to everyone – and now I think she jokes more, she’s more open, she chats to us more. To be honest, it wasn’t like that before Stephen came.

‘I have to say, Stephen Mulhern was the greatest addition to the show.’

The new series of Dancing On Ice is just two weeks in, but viewers have already predicted an early favourite to win the series.

The Traitors star Mollie Pearce took to the rink for her debut performance on Sunday night, and immediately impressed with six lifts.

Skating to the Olivia Rodrigo hit Vampire, Mollie and her professional partner Colin Grafton earned a score of 29.5 points out of 40, placing them in second place on the overall leaderboard, and top on the night.

It was also a skate that led many fans to predict she could be crowned series champion, especially as the judges branded her ‘one to watch.’

Posts on X included: ‘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!!;

‘Mollie was really good! She’s a great actress and so smooth on he ice, with a month less than everyone else I’m very impressed. Her and Colin have great chemistry too. Loved that; ‘Early prediction: Mollie for the win;’

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Speaking in an interview with The Mirror professional ice skater Andy Buchanan has now given an insight into how the show’s dynamic has changed (pictured with Chelsee Healey)

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He explained: ‘I feel like I’ve got to know Holly way more, since he’s been on. He [Stephen] just opened that door. Now I think she jokes more, she’s more open, she chats to us more’

‘@ColinGrafton and Mollie. OMFG wow!! What an incredible start to ur Dancing On Ice journey!! Incredible routine and amazing choreography!! Huge well done.’

It came as Chelsee and Andy were the first couple to be eliminated from Dancing On Ice 2025.

Comedian Josh Jones skated through to Movie Night after landing himself in the bottom two alongside Chelsee, and in a big format change there was no skate off for the first elimination.

Chelsee was at the bottom of the leaderboard when she performed last weekend with 22 points.