Holly Willoughby makes triumphant return to TV as she joins new host Stephen Mulhern live on Dancing On Ice

HOLLY Willoughby made her return to TV this evening for the first time in three months.

The 42-year-old, who dazzled in a sequinned frock, went live with new host Stephen Mulhern in front of a packed audience for the latest series of Dancing On Ice.

Arriving on the ice, Holly said: “Hello! Thank you everybody we are off!

“Welcome to the greatest show on ice. Let’s hear it for the greatest cast of 2024.

“And also can we just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern!”

Fans were delighted to see her back on their screens, with one person writing: "SO lovely to have #DancingOnIce back on!! but it’s also SO lovely to see Holly back on the screen!!"

A second said: “Welcome back to our TV screens Holly Willoughby.  You were missed!”

While a third added: “How strange is it to see Holly after some time but she’s looking lovely tonight hope she’s doing okay she’s been missed.”

It’s the first time fans have heard her speak since an alleged plot to kidnap her led her to quit This Morning in October, which she had co-hosted for 14 years with Phillip Schofield.

Holly is now co-host with long-term pal Stephen, 46, who takes over from Phillip – who has stepped back from TV completely.

The pair had presented the show together since 2006 but their working partnership came to a dramatic end last year when Phil, 61, resigned from ITV due to his affair with a younger colleague.

At the time he said the relationship was "unwise but not illegal".

Meanwhile fans have hailed Holly and Stephen hosting the show after the pair first bonded in their 20s when they worked on ITV morning children's shows Ministry Of Mayhem and Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown.

It comes after it was revealed that Dancing On Ice bosses hired a stand in for Holly to act as a stand-in ahead of tonight's live show.

The Sun on Sunday revealed that producers on set at Bovingdon Airfield Studios in Hertfordshire employed what is professionally known as a stand-in during the week for production run-throughs ahead of yesterday’s dress rehearsal.

A TV source said: “Bosses don’t want to have on-screen talent waiting around in the cold any longer than strictly necessary so they have used a stand in for Holly for production run-throughs and to assist with camera angles.

“Crew have commented that she is being treated like a member of royalty.

"Everyone is hoping she feels safe and at ease after going through a distressing time.

"She was mostly housebound for much of her time away, cancelling all work and personal commitments for months.

“At the same time she is really excited to come back to a show she adores and get glammed up for fans again."