Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby believe their on-screen partnership has been a success because they are so similar.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

The pair first presented 'Dancing On Ice' together in 2006 before going on to co-host 'This Morning', making them one of British TV's most successful partnerships and Phillip, 57, says their close friendship is a huge factor in their success.

He explained: "It worked so perfectly because we think at the same speed, we've got the same sense of humour. It works so well."

However, Holly, 38, admitted she could never have predicted their enduring partnership.

She said: "We hadn't done 'This Morning' together yet but 'Dancing On Ice' really was the first time. For me, I had just come from kids telly, 'Dancing on Ice' was the first grown-up telly I had ever done! Even if I had dreamt the best possible outcome, I would never have expected this."

And Phillip revealed that he never thought 'Dancing On Ice' would be as successful as it has become.

He said: "We were terrified, the pair of us were really scared. It was a very big show and a big new idea.

"There is also an element of danger with 'Dancing On Ice', which we don't have in anything else. You're constantly thinking 'Wow. Someone could hurt themselves here. And it's live!'"

Meanwhile, Holly revealed that she is most excited to see Matt Evers and former Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins' perform this year, as they will be the first same-sex couple on the show.

She said: "I think Matt and H, because that is groundbreaking. I think what that symbolises and what that means on how far we've come.

"A primetime show has a same-sex couple skating together and why shouldn't they? It should have been happening a long time ago. For that reason, I'm very proud of 'Dancing On Ice'."

Dancing On Ice returns to TV screens on Sunday January 5.