Holly Willoughby has said she would love Tameka Empson to return to the Strictly Come Dancing line-up following Will Young's decision to quit the show. Viewers have been calling for the EastEnders actress, who was voted off Strictly at the weekend, to make a comeback - and This Morning host Holly is in full agreement.
Speaking on the ITV daytime show about Will's shock departure, the star said: "I wonder if they will replace him, will they bring Tameka back? I think they should."
Holly Willoughby has revealed she wants Tameka Empson to return to Strictly
Co-host Phillip Schofield then questioned why the singer had decided to leave in the first place. "You don't walk off a show other than if it was dramatic," he commented. "You don't just walk out."
Will announced the news that he was quitting Strictly on Tuesday evening, saying that he was doing so for "personal reasons".
Tameka was eliminated last week
"I leave with joy in my heart that I have been able to take part in one of the most loved shows on British television," he said in a statement. "I am so grateful to everyone who works on Strictly from the lighting designer to catering to the production team. Strictly truly is the most unique family and I thank them from the bottom of my heart."
Will Young shocked fans when he announced he was quitting the show
It has been speculated that the star's decision was prompted by his clash with head judge Len Goodman at the weekend – but a BBC insider has denied this, stating that the 37-year-old singer left for an unrelated reason.
"Will leaving the show is nothing to do with the argument with Len," the source told the Mirror. "They actually had a laugh about the little on-screen altercation after the show. There is a great deal of mutual respect between the pair."