Holly Willoughby is presenting I’m A Celebrity “as a favour” to Ant McPartlin, according to Joe Swash.
The Extra Camp host revealed that Willoughby stepped up to the role alongside Declan Donnelly as a gesture to her close friend McPartlin after he quit his TV commitments earlier this year.
Swash told the Daily Mirror: “She's such good friends with the boys, and it's someone doing them a favour, it's not someone going in to try and enhance their career.
“Holly's so good at what she does, she'll be amazing, and I'm looking forward to it.”
The upcoming series, which kicks off on November 18, will be the first time Donnelly has presented without his professional partner Down Under.
McPartlin, who recently split from partner Lisa Armstrong, stepped back from the small screen after being arrested for drink-driving and subsequently admitting himself to rehab in March.
This Morning presenter Willoughby, who is good friends with the Geordie pair, is jetting off to Australia very soon, sharing snaps of her going away presents on Wednesday.
Posting on Instagram, the star showed off a scrumptious looking cake –decorated with an Australian theme – from pals emblazoned with “good luck Down Under” in white icing.
She wrote: “Mmmmmm yummy .... my girls know what I like... thank you beautiful ladies @ruby1kid @shishib #nikidemetz and @emmaleebunton.”
Meanwhile, Rochelle Humes is filling in for missing Willoughby on This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield.
I’m A Celebrity returns Sunday November 18 at 9pm on ITV.
