Fiona Phillips to front This Morning?

Fiona Phillips is in the running to take over from Holly Willoughby on 'This Morning'.

Bosses on the ITV1 daytime show are said to be looking for a "safe" presenter to cover the 30-year-old star when she goes on maternity leave, and are also considering former newsreader Helen Fospero and Ruth Langsford, who currently fronts the programme with husband Eamonn Holmes on Fridays.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "There is a desire to play it safe and recruit someone well-liked by viewers.

"Holly intends to return to work later and so they don't want to try someone 'edgy' who might end up alienating the audience. The women being talked about all have vast experience and are seen as safe pairs of hands."

Holly - who co-hosts 'This Morning' with Phillip Schofield - is due to give birth to her second child in May and recently revealed she and producer husband Dan Baldwin are expecting a sister for their two-year-old son Harry.

She said: "I had my 20-week scan yesterday, so Dan, myself and Harry found out what we're having.

"I didn't find out with Harry, but I found out this time and I can't keep it a secret! It's so exciting - Harry is going to have a little sister!"