Laura Whitmore is being lined up to replace Holly Willoughby on TV’s Celebrity Juice.
But the presenter faces a battle with fellow star Michelle Keegan, who has just left BBC military drama Our Girl.
Meetings have been taking place over the last few days to discuss who could sit on ITV2’s comedy show panel, and sources say Laura is top of the wishlist.
This week Holly, 39, announced she was leaving Juice after 12 years.
Now Laura, 35, who took over fronting Love Island in January and who is engaged to its narrator, Scots comedian Iain Stirling, is the
front runner for the coveted spot.
If she gets the job, she will join Keith Lemon, 45, and Mel B, 44, on the show.
A telly insider said: “Laura has been a familiar ITV face for over a decade now and as the current host of the nation’s most loved reality format, she is the perfect team captain to retain the show’s younger audience.
“Laura also gets on with Keith, which is important, and she has taken part on Celebrity Juice in the past.”
But she could lose out to former Coronation Street star Michelle, who is Keith’s pick for the job.
Keith said: “Michelle Keegan is No1. She is very down to earth and a northerner. She has been on Celebrity Juice a few times so that helps, I guess.”
Speaking about saying goodbye to Holly, Keith added: “It’s the end of an era.”
