HOLLY OUT, FERN IN?

This Morning could be seeing more changes, as we understand former host Fern Britton may be eyeing up her old job

It’s been nearly 12 years since Holly Willoughby joined This Morning but, with much speculation around her considering a move away from the ITV show, could her predecessor Fern Britton be about to make a dramatic return?

Fern’s life has undoubtedly changed over the last year, following a split from her husband Phil Vickery after almost 20 years of marriage. And with the confirmation of one new TV project already, it looks like the author is preparing to step back into the spotlight. A source tells us, ‘Fern hasn’t been properly settled since leaving This Morning, no matter what she changes about her life. She moved house and moved on from her marriage but she’s never been able to recreate the feeling of happiness she got from live telly.’

And with Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes being replaced on Fridays by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, it’s safe to say that anything could happen at This Morning…

A new direction

There have been whispers for a while now that Holly, 40, may be left with no choice but to quit her role as co-host alongside Phillip Schofield – because her former management company is said to be asking for a cut of £200,000 of her new ITV Daytime deal, despite the fact she left them to set up her own company.

A source said, ‘There has never been any question over commission on contracts that they concluded – this is about what happens moving forwards now that they aren’t involved, and them trying to handcuff her for years to come. It’s just not right.