Holly Willoughby shocked fans last week after it was announced she had quit Celebrity Juice after 12 years.
And the show’s host Keith Lemon revealed that he’s set to have talks with show bosses about her replacement and teased that there must be the ‘right chemistry’ with them.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Friday, the comedian, 47, admitted that it’s a ‘shame’ that the star didn’t get a proper send-off from the ITV2 show as they’ve had to film virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Talks: Celebrity Juice host Keith Lemon revealed that he’s set to have talks with show bosses about Holly Willoughby’s replacement and teased that there must be the ‘right chemistry’ with them
Keith spoke to hosts Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard about Holly’s exit, with Susanna adding it was a shame they didn’t get to say goodbye to Holly in person.
She said: ‘It’s been a shame because you haven’t been able to record in the studio at the moment and it’s also a shame because Holly is leaving Celebrity Juice and you can’t give her a proper send-off.
‘You’re going to have to do it on FaceTime or Skype!’
Keith responded: ‘Well tonight’s her last show.
Goodbye: Appearing on Good Morning Britain on Friday, the comedian, 47, admitted that it’s a ‘shame’ that the star didn’t get a proper send-off from the ITV2 show as they’ve had to film virtually amid the coronavirus pandemic
‘Next we’ve got a programme which is looking back at Celebrity Juice and I have a chat to Holly and say goodbye to her.’
He continued: ‘Yeah, it’s a shame that it’s virtual rather than in the studio because I do love hugging Holly Willoughby because she gives good hugs.’
Following the announcement that Holly was leaving the show, the rumour mill went into overdrive about who would be stepping into her shoes.
Discussing the speculation, Keith told how he was set to have a meeting with show bosses that very day to consider who will replace the This Morning presenter.
Friendship: ‘Yeah, it’s a shame that it’s virtual rather than in the studio because I do love hugging Holly Willoughby because she gives good hugs’
He said: ‘I’ve got a meeting about it today because we’ve got to get the right chemistry and everything.
‘I don’t know who it is. I’ve seen a lot of names touted around. I saw Michelle Keegan was in for the running and she’s a lovely lady.
‘But no one has been discussed, all that’s going to happen today.’
Holly confirmed her departure from pop culture panel show in a lengthy Instagram post shared with followers on Sunday morning.
Addressing fans, Holly, 39, insisted she only had happy memories from her time alongside Lemon, the alter-ego of comedian Leigh Francis.
Discussion: Discussing the speculation, Keith told how he was set to have a meeting with show bosses that very day to consider who will replace the This Morning presenter
Replacement: ‘I’ve got a meeting about it today because we’ve got to get the right chemistry and everything’
Sharing a montage of images, she wrote: ‘Thank you @celebjuiceofficial for 12 years of fantastic chaos… I can’t quite believe what we’ve done and how quick that time has gone. Thank you to you all for watching..we’ve always had the loudest and best audiences.
‘Also a huge thank you to @itv2 for believing in the show in the first place and for all of your support…Over the years the production team has changed, however to anyone lucky enough to have worked on the show, they will know that we really do have the best time, it’s never felt like work and always been to me like a night out…
‘Thank you for all your ingenious ideas and hard work… all good things must come to an end and nothing lasts forever… It’s time for me to hand over my team captain seat to some lucky lucky person… whoever that is, know you are about to get one of the best jobs in telly working with one of comedies finest…’
Lovely lady: ‘I don’t know who it is. I’ve seen a lot of names touted around. I saw Michelle Keegan was in for the running and she’s a lovely lady’
All over: Holly thanked Celebrity Juice for 12 years of ‘fantastic chaos’ after confirming her departure from the long-running show on Sunday morning
Thanking Francis, who launched the show as his notorious alter-ego alongside Holly and the now departed Fearne Cotton in 2008, she added: ‘@keithlemon… Where to begin… I remember starting this journey with you and saying ‘I think this might work’… my goodness me it did… three friends, you me and @fearnecotton.
‘… and that is what is at the heart of it.. friendship… I love the bones of you Lemon! Thank you for making me laugh for twelve years… I’ll be back as a guest and just to make sure someone is keeping you in check…
All over: Holly launched the show with Lemon and close friend Fearne Cotton on 2008
‘if I don’t see you through a week or next week or the week after… know you are always in my heart.’
Insiders say the decision comes as a blow to programming chiefs, who have long relied on her star quality to attract viewers.
Although Holly had worked in television for several years before Celebrity Juice, landing the role on the show in 2008 helped make her TV hot property.
She joined This Morning a year later and still hosts the show with Phillip Schofield. Celebrity Juice is also where the term ‘Holly Willoughbooby’ was coined to described her curvaceous figure.
Tough: Insiders say the decision comes as a blow to programming chiefs, who have long relied on her star quality to attract viewers