Christine Bleakley may be replacing Holly Willoughby on Dancing On Ice when the presenter starts maternity leave.
Since switching from BBC to ITV in a £6 million deal, 31-year-old Christine has been presenting troubled breakfast show Daybreak alongside her former One Show co-host Adrian Chiles. But ITV bosses are reportedly keen to make her a huge mainstream star on the channel.
She may be drafted in to host the second half of Dancing On Ice every Sunday night as Holly scales down her hours throughout her pregnancy.
A source told Star magazine: “When Christine signed up to ITV the bosses told her they had plans to make her a massive star on the channel outside of presenting Daybreak. And this is just the start of it.
“They want her to be able to turn her hand to lots of shows, and something like Dancing On Ice is perfect for her.
“It would be nice for her to have something a bit lighter than her serious role on Daybreak and TV bosses are convinced she will have amazing chemistry with co-presenter Philip Schofield.”
However, one Dancing On Ice contestant who may raise an eyebrow at Christine’s new appointment is Elen Rivas.
The Spanish model is the ex-Fiancee of Frank Lampard, Christine’s boyfriend. Elen, who is thought to now be dating Peter Andre, has two daughters, Luna and Isla, with the premiership footballer.
The source continued: “Christine thinks they have to be civil for Frank’s kids, so it should be the same on this job. She wouldn’t want to get in to a public slanging match.”