From Holly Willoughby to Piers Morgan: who could replace Ant McPartlin as I'm A Celeb host?

It has been confirmed that Declan Donnelly will have a new sidekick on this autumn’s series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, as his screen partner Ant McPartlin takes time off.

Ant stepped down from his TV work in March to have treatment after his drink-driving arrest and announced earlier this month that he would be taking the rest of the year off.

It had been thought that Dec might present the jungle reality show solo but speaking at this week’s Edinburgh TV Festival, ITV's director of television Kevin Lygo said the channel have already chosen Dec's co-host. However, the big tease declined to reveal who it was.

We run down the 10 main runners and riders…

Stephen Mulhern

The magician-turned-presenter has form for stepping into Ant’s shoes, having helped out Dec for the Saturday Night Takeaway finale this spring. He also works with the duo as host of BGT sister show Britain's Got More Talent.

Pros: He’s amusing, ambitious and ITV seem desperate to make him a bona fide star.

Cons: Tends to divide opinion. Looks like an Oompah-Loompah or Chucky from Child’s Play.

Odds: 7/4 favourite

Caroline Flack

As presenter of ITV2 summer phenomenon Love Island, Flack’s stock is as high as her trademark short shorts. She also helmed the I’m A Celeb spin-off show back in 2010. 

Pros: She’s used to eliminating contestants in sunny locations. “Flack and Dec” sounds quite snappy.

Cons: Could be seen as too “yoof” for such a broad, mainstream show. Flopped when she replaced Dermot O’Leary on The X Factor three years ago. 

Odds: 9/4

Scarlett Moffatt

The former Gogglebox starlet was crowned Queen Of The Jungle two years ago and co-hosted last year's ITV2 I’m A Celeb spin-off show Extra Camp. She’s close buddies with Ant and Dec, who signed her up for presenting duties on Saturday Night Takeaway. 

Pros: Would maintain the Geordie ratio. Promoting her would be a pleasing two fingers up to the body-shaming trolls. 

Cons: Seems to have ruled herself out by confirming she’ll be back on Extra Camp this year.

Odds: 9/2

Holly Willoughby

The ITV favourite affectionately dubbed “Willoughbooby” was rumoured as a potential stand-in last year, when it was unclear if Ant would return following his first stint in rehab. 

Pros: She’s a friend of the Geordie chipmunks, shares their manager and is accustomed to the dynamics of a double act due to her screen partnership with Philip Schofield.

Cons: ITV might prefer to leave her on This Morning. Willoughby could also be reluctant to spend a month away from her three young children.

Odds: 5/1

Joel Dommett

The likeably goofy comedian finished runner-up to Scarlett Moffatt on the 2016 series and last year, the pair co-presented spin-off show Extra Camp. 

Pros: Would provide an injection of humour to fill the Ant-sized hole. 

Cons: Beard, tattoos and free-wheeling wit might make him too hipster-ish for primetime ITV.

Odds: 11/2

Julia Morris

The 50-year-old Aussie comedienne hosts the Down Under version of I'm A Celebrity... and went viral this week after a fan posted a montage of her irresistible intro jokes on Twitter. Has openly expressed interest in the job, saying: “I’d take it in a heartbeat. I’m a long-standing fan and lived in the UK for seven years. I couldn’t capture Ant’s magic but would bring something reasonably elderly and slightly overweight to the show.”

Pros: Lives in Sydney, so ITV would save on air fares.

Cons: Hardly a household name over here. 

Odds: 11/2

Cat Deeley

The host of US contest So You Think You Can Dance has a BAFTA and five Emmy nominations for her presenting. She might relish a return to British primetime, plus h strong connections with Ant and Dec from their days on fondly remembered kids’ show SMTV: Live.

Pros: “Cat and Dec” sounds reassuringly almost familiar. 

Cons: Has a two-month-old baby son. Husband Patrick Kielty might get jealous. 

Odds: 6/1

Emma Willis

The presenter of Big Brother and The Voice is a reality contest veteran and seen as a safe pair of hands.

Pros: Slick, smiley, surprisingly funny. Would enable Dec to ask “Whatchoo talking about, Willis?”

Cons: A tad too rent-a-host.

Odds: 7/1

Keith Lemon

The moustachioed, mulleted, potty-mouthed alter-ego of character comedian Leigh Francis is an ITV regular, with vehicles including Celebrity Juice, The Keith & Paddy Picture Show and Through the Keyhole.

Pros: Mischievous nature would add a frisson of unpredictability to the live shows.

Cons: A love-or-loathe Marmite presence. Likely to swear and upset the grannies.

Odds: 9/1

Piers Morgan

The jowly co-host of Good Morning Britain was mentioned as a tongue-in-cheek option by ITV grand poobah Kevin Lygo, who joked: "It's going to be Piers Morgan. Or it could be Jeremy Corbyn. I can't say."

Pros: Pitbull-ish journalistic style would stop the campmates’ exit interviews being bland. Susanna Reid would be glad to get rid of him for a few weeks. Would be marginally better than Corbyn.

Cons: Might get too hot under the collar and have a coronary on live TV. 

Odds: 25/1 outsider