Willoughby tipped for 'This Morning' sofa

Holly Willoughby is the favourite to replace Fern Britton on ‘This Morning’.

The blonde beauty – who gave birth to her first child, Harry, in May – is hotly tipped to be reunited with her ‘Dancing on Ice’ co-presenter Phillip Schofield.

A show insider said: “We adore Holly, but what is so great is that now she’s a mum she will have a lot more in common with many of our viewers.

“She’ll have added compassion and really be able to respond to our real-life stories.”

Schofield has already told bosses Willoughby is the perfect person to replace Britton, who leaves on July 17 and quit in order to spend more time with her family.

Even Britton has agreed, saying: “I think Holly would be wonderful. She represents an enormous swathe of the audience.”

However, Willoughby, 28, has prior commitments with ‘The Xtra Factor’, which she also presents.

A source said to Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “We have to work a few things out, like Holly’s filming commitments for ‘The Xtra Factor’.”

Other stars said to be in the running for the prestigious job include Davina McCall, Fiona Phillips, Emma Forbes and Melanie Sykes.

A spokesman for ‘This Morning’ declined to comment.