Holly Willoughby has revealed her decision to quit This Morning in 2023 was “really simple and easy”, speaking out for the first time about her departure from the ITV daytime show.
The 43-year-old presenter made the candid admission in her first interview since stepping down, telling The Sunday Times Style Magazine that leaving the programme was not a difficult choice.
“That question is wrapped up in so many things that were going on at that time. But no. That was the last thing on my mind. The choice [to step away] was really simple and easy, actually,” Willoughby said when asked if it was “terrifying” to leave the show with nothing else lined up.
In October 2023, Willoughby announced her immediate departure from This Morning in an emotional statement to viewers.
“I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning,” she wrote at the time.
“This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive.”
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield used to front This Morning on ITV
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She continued: “Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.”
The presenter concluded her statement saying: “Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much.”
The former This Morning host also described the past year as “tough”, adding: “There’s no way of sugar-coating it.”
Willoughby’s exit came after a harrowing kidnap plot against her was uncovered, leading to the arrest of former security guard Gavin Plumb, now-37.
Plumb was sentenced to life imprisonment last July after being found guilty of plotting to kidnap and murder the TV presenter.
During sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Justice Edward Murray declared: “I found you to be dangerous” and expressed concerns about the risk Plumb posed to women.
The court heard how Plumb had over one million images of different women on his computer, including 10,322 of Willoughby.
He was given three consecutive life sentences with a minimum term of 15 years and 85 days behind bars.
Willoughby’s departure came just months after her former co-host Phillip Schofield left This Morning in May 2023 amid controversy over his “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague.
Upon her return to This Morning following Schofield’s exit in June 2023, Willoughby delivered an emotional address to viewers.
“I feel shaken, troubled and let down,” she told viewers at the time, adding that everyone at the programme had given “love and support to someone who was not telling the truth.”
She expressed concern for Schofield’s mental health during her statement and said “what unites us all now is a desire to heal.”
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Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield won numerous awards during their time fronting This Morning
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Willoughby is now set to make her return to television screens with Netflix’s new reality show Celebrity Bear Hunt, premiering on February 5.
The action-packed competition series will see survivalist Bear Grylls hunting down celebrities in Costa Rica’s jungle, with Willoughby hosting the programme.
Among the stars taking part are Spice Girl Mel B, Strictly judge Shirley Ballas, TV presenter Steph McGovern, celebrity chef Big Zuu and Inbetweeners actor Joe Thomas.
Contestants who fail to impress will face the “Bear Hunt” – a game of cat and mouse where they’ll be pursued by Grylls himself, with captured celebrities facing elimination from the show.
The series marks Willoughby’s first major TV project since departing This Morning, though she continues to present ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
