LONDON (Fwrd Axis) — Earlier this week, Philip Schofield revealed that he’d tested positive for Covid, hours after making an ITV appearance. Stephen Mulhern “star of stage and screen” will now take his place on Dancing on Ice.
“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!”, Mulhern said in a statement.
Stephen will assist Holly Willoughby with presenting duties, keeping the seat warm for Schofield’s return.
Schofield, 59, shared his Covid test result via an Instagram post, accompanied with a picture of his positive lateral flow test as he wrote: ‘Well b******s!! Currently just a slightly sore throat.’
Alison Hammond, who usually presents the Friday episode of This Morning with former X Factor host Dermot O’Leary, covered for Schofield this week.
Although it was previously rumoured that Mulhern, 44, might step into Schofield’s shoes on the ice, today’s announcement confirms it to be true.
Schofield confirmed the news of his replacement and wished Mulhern well on his Dancing On Ice debut. He posted a snap on Instagram showing another couple of positive lateral flow tests to be sure.
‘Sorry @dancingonice Have an amazing show,’ Phillip captioned the post and tagged Holly on his Instagram Story.
‘Have an amazing show @stephenmulhern it’s SO much fun x,’ he added.
Phillip has spent much of his quarantine time updating his fans, and reassuring them that he’s ‘‘100% well’.
He also shared a series of posts on his Instagram story showing him recording voiceovers at his home studio to make up for his current inability to host in person.
Rachel Stevens and Kye Whyte both had to sit out a show each previously. Bez tested positive for COVID as well, but wasn’t set to perform on the week he had.
Dancing on Ice airs Sundays at 7:00 PM on ITV in the U.K.
