HOLLY Willoughby has broken her silence on a tumultuous 18 months – admitting “it’s been tough”.
Speaking for the first time about leaving This Morning , the presenter, 43, revealed it was “an easy decision”.
Holly stepped down from presenting work entirely after discovering a plot to kidnap and murder her.
It came just months after a very public falling out with her co-host Phillip Schofield, which ended with him leaving the show in May 2023.
She told The Sunday Times Style Magazine: “It’s been tough. There’s no way of sugar-coating it.”
Discussing why she felt moving forward was her only option, the mum-of-three said: “Sometimes things go wrong, but you have to keep going for it because that’s all you can do.”
Gavin Plumb was given three life sentences for planning to break into her home, then sedate, abduct and kill her and her husband.
Holly is now returning to the limelight with a new Netflix show alongside Bear Grylls – Celebrity Bear Hunt, as well as currently hosting Dancing on Ice.
Moving on
The star – is said to have cried during the interview – and when asked if she felt like she was a survivor, she said: “Nothing can prepare you for something like that.
“When something like that happens, you have a decision to make. You either decide, right, I can take this on board and it can absolutely affect all aspects of my life.
“Or I can make a choice to go, let’s focus on everything that’s positive and good, all those important things.”
Holly went on to list all the love she has in her life – from husband Dan, her children Harry, 15, and Chester, 10, and Belle, 13 and her friends.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”First look at Holly Willoughby’s new Netflix show as she screams in horror and celebrities clash over ‘hell’ tasks” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367071168112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]She says she made the decision to allow the court to their job so she could move forward.
Schofield fallout
Looking back at the decision to leave This Morning after 14 years, with no new work lined up – Holly revealed it was a no brainer for her.
“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,” she said.
Phillip Schofield’s resigned from This Morning after allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a younger colleague.
He made his TV comeback on Channel 5‘s Cast Away, which SAW him opening up and lashing out at Holly and old ITV bosses Martin Frizell and Emma Gormley.
Whilst Schofield didn’t name the three on air, he did make it clear he blames “three s**ts” for the end of his TV career and spectacular fall from fame.
Phil and Holly’s relationship had appeared strained towards the end of their time on This Morning, with Phil later admitting he had lied to Holly about his affair with a younger male colleague.
Back on the box
Last month Holly returned to Dancing On Ice, a series she has presented, on and off, since 2006 — and much of that time she had her This Morning partner Phillip Schofield by her side.
Holly’s long-time pal Stephen Mulhern has replaced Phillip on the show.
She is currently promoting her new Netflix show, which airs next month, and features adventurer Bear Grylls chasing a line-up of famous names in the Costa Rican jungle.
Holly and adventurer Bear, 50, filmed the brand new format last year.
The Sun exclusively revealed the star-studded lineup which includes Strictly’s Shirley Ballas and rugby hunk Danny Cipriani.
