Holly Willoughby was reunited with Stephen Mulhern on Sunday night’s episode of Dancing On Ice as he filled in for Phillip Schofield who is self-isolating with Covid.
Stephen’s appointment saw him present alongside Holly for the first time since their days hosting children’s TV together, with the pair last presenting Ministry of Mayhem back in 2006.
Opening the show, Holly said: ‘Welcome to the greatest show on Ice. You may have heard that Phil is isolating so for the first time ever he won’t be here this week. The lovely Stephen Mulhern has stepped in to save the day.’
Together again: Holly Willoughby was reunited with Stephen Mulhern on Sunday night’s episode of Dancing On Ice as he filled in for Phillip Schofield who is self-isolating with Covid
Stephen, who was greeted with rapturous applause, said: ‘Yes, I am here guy. Please don’t stop. Can you believe it’s actually 16 years since we worked together on kids TV?’
Holly replied: ‘I know and look at us now, we’re grownups doing proper grown up telly.’
Stephen joked: ‘Back by no demand.’
Stephen was confirmed as a replacement for Phillip on Saturday with a statement for the ITV skate show reading: ‘This Sunday’s episode of Dancing on Ice will be hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern while Phillip Schofield continues to self-isolate.’
The good old days: Stephen’s appointment saw him present alongside Holly for the first time since their days hosting children’s TV together (pictured on Ministry of Mayhem)
Holly said: You may have heard that Phil is isolating so for the first time ever he won’t be here this week. The lovely Stephen Mulhern has stepped in to save the day’
It comes as Phillip, 59, took to Instagram on Friday to reveal he’s still testing positive for coronavirus, meaning he will have to remain in isolation and miss out on presenting duties.
The TV star also gave an update on social media on Saturday morning, revealing he had taken two rapid flow tests to be ‘absolutely sure’, before wishing his replacement Stephen all the best.
In a humorous video shared on Friday, Phillip sported a glum expression as he slowly lifted his test towards the camera to the tune of Engelbert Humperdinck’s hit Please Release Me.
Per government guidelines, if patients test negative five days after showing symptoms – which for Phillip was Monday – they can leave self-isolation. However, Phil’s most recent tests this weekend determined his fate.
Speaking about stepping into Phil’s shoes, Stephen said: ‘I’m very much looking forward to being back hosting alongside my good friend Holly this weekend. It’s big shoes to fill and I’m wishing Phillip a speedy recovery.
Oh dear: It comes as Phillip, 59, took to Instagram on Friday to reveal he’s still testing positive for coronavirus, meaning he had to remain in isolation and miss out on presenting duties
‘I’m a big fan of Dancing on Ice and for one night only I’m thrilled to be rink side watching the action unfold. It’s going to be unbelievable!’
Phillip tested positive for Covid on Monday night and took to Instagram to share his lateral flow result with his fans.
The TV personality had been forced to pull out of recent episodes of This Morning during his five days of isolation, before needing two negative LFTs to continue with his Dancing On Ice hosting duties on Sunday.
Just two days before Phillip shared the photo of his test result, he indulged in a jam-packed evening out to the theatre and a restaurant with his wife Stephanie Lowe and their children Molly and Ruby.
Confirmation: The TV star also gave an update on social media on Saturday morning, revealing he had taken two rapid flow tests to be ‘absolutely sure’, before wishing his replacement Stephen all the best
His co-host on both This Morning and Dancing On Ice, Holly, was also absent from the daytime show, having previously revealed she would be taking two weeks off.
The announcement meant Phillip was seen hosting with Rochelle Humes for a third consecutive week on Monday before he tested positive.
The Sun previously reported that Holly is taking time out to film scenes for on Wim ‘Iceman’ Hof’s Superstar Survival with Lee Mack in Southern Europe.
Phillip made light of his positive test on Monday night, writing ‘Well b******s!!’ followed by a faceplant emoji before adding, ‘Currently just a slightly sore throat.’
The NTA winner admitted his symptoms were mild at the time of taking the lateral flow test.
Friendship: Holly and Stephen have remained great friends since their children’s TV days (pictured on This Morning in 2014)