Holly Willoughby insists she is just "looking after" ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ for Ant McPartlin.
The 37-year-old TV presenter has taken over as co-host of the show from her pal after he took time off following his drink-driving conviction earlier this year but Holly says Ant will definitely be back with presenting partner Declan Donnelly next year.
She told The Sun: "It’s totally unexpected to do this. You didn’t really want to have to be asked to do the show, it’s a weird one. I’m just looking after it until he gets back. It’s lovely that he trusted me with it. It’s much easier if you work with somebody who is a friend. When you genuinely get on on-screen, it’s going to work. It’s unsurprising."
And she admitted she is not too worried about her role as she believes the celebrity contestants are the stars of the show.
She said: "It’s an easier job in some respects because it’s the celebrities that make the show. Dec and I are just presenting it to you and it’s all the stuff that goes on in the show that makes it a good series.
"Yes, it’s going to be different obviously, but actually we’re quite a small part of what makes the show, so I’m not too worried."
Holly recently admitted she is "excited" about the challenge but isn’t looking forward to the creepy crawlies.
She added: "I’m really excited, I can’t wait to go. I’m scared of everything, but it’s not for me to be worried about that, that’s for the celebrities to be worried about, they’ve signed up for that so it’s their problem, not mine.
"If anything lands on me I’m not going to like that very much, I’m not a fan of the uninvited guests but I’m ready to go and I’m excited for the adventure."
Meanwhile, presenter Eamonn Holmes promised ‘I’m A Celebrity’ fans that Holly "isn’t going to steal" Ant’s job as he takes time off to deal with his sobriety.
He said: "No-one in any way thinks Holly is going out there to steal Ant’s job, so I don’t think there’s any suspicion of that.
"I think it’s a perfect fit … because Dec and her are such good friends, and the fact that it’s not another bloke there, cushions the blow somewhat."
Holly Willoughby ‘looking after’ I’m A Celeb for Ant
