In a new interview, Holly admitted replacing the star was a “tricky situation” and that it would be “weird” for Dec to be joined by a new co-host after 16 years fronting the ITV show with Ant.
The ‘This Morning’ host told Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine: “It’s a tricky situation in many ways. Ant was part of the discussion from the off.
“He’s happy that I’m looking after it until he gets back. It does help that we all know each other. I think I’m A Celeb will be more weird for Dec than for me. He’s only ever worked with Ant.”
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Holly Willoughby
Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment
Holly’s remarks come as Ant celebrates six months sober. On Saturday, his friend Simon Hargreaves praised his “strength and determination” in a tweet.
Simon tweeted: “Long overdue catch up with my buddy of 20+ years for lunch this week. 6 months sober, annoyingly healthy looking, and happier than I’ve seen him in years.
“Immensely proud of this lad for his strength and determination to face up to his issues and get help.”
Following Ant’s arrest back in March he headed back to rehab, having spent two months there last year when he became addicted to painkillers to help with a botched knee operation.
Ant and Dec, aka PJ and Duncan, in 1994. (Photo credit: Getty)
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British pop duo PJ and Duncan instore at HMV in 1994. (Photo credit: PA)
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Ant and Dec, aka PJ and Duncan, in 1994. (Photo credit: PA/Jez C Self/EMPICS Entertainment)
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Ant and Dec larking about with Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie in 1996. (Photo credit: PA)
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Pop duo PJ & Duncan in the studio in 1996 (Photo credit: PA)
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PJ and Duncan in concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1996. (Photo credit: PA)
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Ant and Dec celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Byker Grove with fellow stars in 1998. (Photo credit: Rex Features)
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Ant and Dec with Cat Deeley in 1998, co-hosts of SMTV://Live. (Photo credit: PA)
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Anthony McPartlin (left), and Declan Donnelly, Ant & Dec, with their Most Popular entertainment Presenter awards at the National Television Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2002. (Photo credit: PA)
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Pop Idol presenters Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly (right) celebrate with Will Young from Hungerford, Berkshire, at the Fountain Studios in London, after he was voted Britain's Pop Idol in 2002. (Photo credit: PA)
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Pop Idol judges (from left) Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Neil Fox, pose with show hosts Ant and Dec (Anthony McPartlin & Declan Donnelly) during a press conference at Thames TV in London, to launch a new series of Pop Idol in 2003. (Photo credit: PA)
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Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly pose with the awards for Best Comedy Entertainment Personality and Best Comedy Entertainment Programme for Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in the Awards Room at the 'British Comedy Awards 2004' on December 22, 2004 at London Television Studios in London. (Photo credit: Claire Greenway/Getty Images)
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Ant and Dec as The Ugly Sisters in Madame Tussauds Celebrity Pantomime in 2005. (Photo credit: PA)
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Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly (right) with the Entertainment Performance award received for I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! at the BAFTA television awards at the London Palladium in 2010. (Photo credit: PA)
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Ant and Dec take part in the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' Bush Tucker Trial 'Greasy Spoon', in November 2011. (Photo credit: Rex Features)
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Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly arriving for the 2012 NTA Awards at the O2, Greenwich, London. (Photo credit: PA)
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Anthony McPartlin (left) and Declan Donnelly with their awards for Entertainment Presenter, backstage at the National Television Awards 2012 at the Greenwich Arena London. (Photo credit: PA)