Phillip demands Holly for This Morning job

Phillip Schofield has demanded that ITV bosses sign Holly Willoughby as Fern Britton's replacement on This Morning.

Phillip apparently insisted that Holly - his co-host on Dancing on Ice - is the only presenter capable of filling Fern's shoes, telling ITV chief Peter Fincham: "No one else is good enough."

A source told The Sun: "Phillip has been flying the flag for Holly for a while but hasn't been getting the feeling that anyone was listening.

"So he decided to take it to the top. Like everyone else he has been reading in the papers about potential replacements but he's not crazy about any of them. He wants them to make a decision - and appoint Holly."

Holly is believed to be a strong candidate for the role, with former GMTV star Fiona Phillips also a front-runner.

Others names in the frame have included Davina McCall, Ruth Langsford, Kate Garraway, Gaby Roslin and Natasha Kaplinsky - but most have already been ruled out. Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson was also considered.

Fern announced in March that she would be quitting as co-host of This Morning, when the current series ends in July.

ITV hopes to announce her replacement in two weeks.