TV star Stacey Solomon appeared as a guest on ITV This Morning today amidst rumours she and husband Joe Swash are being courted by ITV as "potential replacements" for presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield "when the time comes".
Stacey, 32, and Joe, 40, are thought to be being lined up as potential future hosts of the ITV daytime show when the long-serving current hosts eventually step down.
The discussion comes amid queue-gate – the name given to the controversy surrounding Holly, 41, and Phil, 60, allegedly jumping the hours long queue in Westminster Hall while the Queen was lying in state.
A source said that the fallout from ‘queue-gate’ had heightened pressure to line up an eventual replacement for the popular presenters.
They told Closer magazine: “Executives on the show have admired Stacey Solomon for a long time. She’s a huge hit on Loose Women and has a broad appeal among all age groups who watch ITV”
The source also said: "“Stacey actually started talking to This Morning bosses several months ago and they made clear they saw a role for both her and Joe to work as part of the programme in the future.
"ITV bosses have long been planning for what life looks like after Phil and Holly, because they know nothing lasts forever on TV."
Appearing on the show today Stacey discussed how it feels to be a newly wed and some ideas for how to decorate your house for autumn.
Holly and Phil have come under enormous scrutiny, following their alleged queue-jumping escapades at Westminster Abbey.
This Morning defended their anchors and released a statement claiming the presenting duo were there as part of the "world media" to report on the event.
During a show after the incident Holly bravely tackled the accusations head on and said: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall. It was strictly for reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person."
She continued: "The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
"None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone's place in the queue, and no-one filed past the Queen."
Holly added: "We, of course, respected those rules. However, we realised that it may have looked like something else, and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know we would never jump the queue."
ITV have been contacted for a comment.
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