Holly Willoughby ‘eyed up’ by BBC bosses for huge show alongside Bradley Walsh in dream pairing
HOLLY Willoughby is being eyed up by the BBC for their reboot of Gladiators.
It is hoped the presenter, 42, who quit This Morning last month, will become the new Ulrika Jonsson — host of the original 1990s version on ITV.
The move would see Holly, 42, join current hosts Bradley Walsh, 63, and son Barney, 35, for the second series, which will be filmed next summer.
A TV insider said: “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 already been recorded and will air in January.
The insider added: “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.”
Ulrika, 56, co-presented the original Gladiators on ITV from 1992 to 2000.
Holly narrowly missed out on hosting the BBC reboot of Survivor.
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Her representatives were contacted for comment.
