This Morning’s HUGE revamp revealed with TWO new hosts as ITV battle to save stricken show after Holly Willoughby quits

THIS morning will undergo a “total rebuild” in the new year following Holly Willoughby’s shock exit.

ITV bosses are casting the net for a “new Phil and Holly”, with untested hosts set to take over from January in a redesigned set, The Sun can reveal.

This Morning to undergo ‘total makeover’ following Holly Willoughby’s departureCredit: Rex

Holly’s first show on This Morning alongside sacked host Phillip Schofield Credit: ITV

It comes after viewership figures fell to around 700,000, leaving staff fearing for their jobs.

The current roster of on-screen talent — including Alison Hammond, Craig Doyle, Josie Gibson, Dermot O’Leary and Rochelle Humes — will all remain in place, working around the incoming presenters.

Network favorite Ben Shephard is one name in the frame as a back-up to take over from Phillip Schofield, who was unceremoniously sacked in May.

He will be tested against a host of potentially “exciting” female names.

Last night a show insider said: “It’s been a turbulent 12 months culminating in the seismic last few weeks.

“Holly’s decision to leave shook up the corridors of power at ITV, but now the feeling is that change has to be made — and that’s the push that’s needed.

“This Morning boss Martin Frizell will continue to lead the charge and work tirelessly to give viewers what they want – a warm, buzzy, feel-good magazine show hosted by two new presenters.

‘Business as usual’

“A range of exciting presenters, from all walks of life, will meet with CEOs over the next few weeks until they find a match with the perfect chemistry.

“This Morning remains ITV’s most profitable daytime brand, and format is as important to them as faces.

“The goal is to bring back the chemistry of the show’s halcyon days and bring the viewership figure back up to the million mark.

“Every effort is being made to achieve this.”

The cult name of the program, which has been going on for 35 years, will remain – contrary to suggestions, it could get a new title.

The news of the rebranding comes within 24 hours of Holly’s emotional statement announcing her decision to call it quits after 14 years.

She said of her resignation: “I told ITV today that, after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.

“To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, a big thank you.

“This is such a hard parting, you are amazing and I will forever be proud of what we have done together.

“Thank you to everyone at ITV for your support. Thank you to every guest who sat on our sofa.”

Insiders at the broadcaster suspect that Holly’s sudden and unopposed departure within hours was carefully choreographed ahead of the release of a major investigation into the culture on This Morning, which many expect will be damning.

Sources at the show say presenters, producers and senior executives are expected to be named and held accountable for the “toxic” workplace environment, with many predicting at least one senior “head” will roll as a result.

In June, for example, Dr Ranj Singh, who has appeared regularly on This Morning to give medical advice, said that, during his ten years on the show, he had become “increasingly concerned about how things were behind the scenes and how people, including me, were treated”.

He attacked the culture of toxicity later endorsed by former This Morning staff.

Intriguingly, Holly’s departure for personal reasons ensures that she will not be censored internally regardless of the outcome, thereby protecting her brand.

Another insider added: “It’s very telling that she informed her bosses and left the same day without any pushback.

“Everyone knows that there is much more to reality than this.”

They added: “Ultimately, everyone is prepared for this report which is utterly damning and someone will have to be blamed.

“It is hard to believe that anyone will accept that the hosts were not sufficiently familiar with all kinds of problems.

“But inevitably a faceless CEO will take the hit, and there are a few potential names in the box for that.

“Martin Frizell is the editor of the show and has been there for years.

“He is extremely tough, very charismatic and works in a very old-fashioned way, but he has very broad shoulders and it will be difficult to change him without a fight.

“Even Kevin Lygo, the top dog in charge of all TV output, if the verdict is damning enough.

“Even though he’s very popular in the industry.”

Others are predicting that the entire format could be on the chopping block if things can’t be turned around quickly, to be replaced by an entirely new show.

But as things stand, that seems highly improbable.

Inside ITV, the hope is that the new glossy set and presenting duo will stem the tide.

Staff are also confident that no jobs will be lost and that money will continue to be invested in the format.

It’s been a tumultuous time for one of Britain’s best-loved daytime programmes.

Presenter Phil (61) was forced out after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague.

It came after an off-air row with his former best friend, Holly, 42, which rocked the show.

She distanced herself from Phil on social media, deleting him from her Twitter bio, now known as X.

Keen-eyed viewers noticed the couple’s hostility and ratings plummeted as a result.

At its peak, This Morning regularly attracted a million people a day – today it’s down to around 300,000.

Last night an ITV source described the mood among the crew yesterday morning as “sad”, but added that it was “calm and business as usual”.

They continued: “The cast and crew have had a tough year, but they are beyond professional and so the overriding feeling, despite the sadness, is that the series must go on.

“Everyone completely understands why Holly quit.

“It cannot be denied that it was a difficult year for her as well,

“But the events of the past week will no doubt push her over the edge to make such a difficult decision.”