Putting her family first: Holly Willoughby quit This Morning after emotional chats with family
Holly Willoughby is said to have quit 'This Morning' this week after holding lengthy and emotional chats with her family over the weekend, and she "personally told" the show's boss Martin Frizell and ITV Daytime’s managing director Emma Gormley about her decision.
Holly Willoughby
Holly Willoughby quit 'This Morning' this week after discussing the tough decision with her family over the weekend.
The 42-year-old TV presenter has co-hosted the brunch-time show for 14 years, but she is said to have "personally told" the show's boss Martin Frizell and ITV Daytime’s managing director Emma Gormley about her decision to leave, in what were "very emotional" conversations.
Holly - who has 13-year-old son Harry, 11-year-old daughter Belle, and eight-year-old Chester with her husband Dan Baldwin - wants to "put her family first".
The star has been absent from the programme since last week, when a man was charged with soliciting to commit murder over an alleged plot to kidnap the TV presenter.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "There have been a lot of tears over the past few days. Holly spoke with her children and then with her husband Dan and her parents at length.
"She absolutely loves 'This Morning' and has devoted herself to the show. But recent events have changed everything and Holly has to put her family first.
"Holly personally told 'This Morning' boss Martin Frizell and ITV Daytime’s managing director Emma Gormley. Both conversations were very emotional.
"They obviously wanted her to stay, but said they would completely support her decision.
"ITV have been looking after Holly and have provided a support package to her as well as the offer of counselling if she needs it."
Holly is said to have been "considering other opportunities" since the summer, following the departure of her former co-host Phillip Schofield, who quit the show after more than 20 years after admitting he lied to bosses about an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger male colleague.
The source added: "This was an incredibly hard decision for Holly but, in all honesty, she hasn’t been truly happy at work since the fallout with Phil. Seeing him hung out to dry has been hard and took its toll.
"Fourteen years in any workplace is a long stretch, and she has been considering other opportunities over the summer. The time to leave feels right - albeit under the darkest of circumstances."
Holly confirmed on Tuesday afternoon (10.10.23) that she had quit 'This Morning'.
She wrote on Instagram: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to 'This Morning'.
"To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. 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. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.
"Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day."
Holly referenced former 'This Morning' presenters, husband and wife duo Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who insisted the show belongs to the viewers rather than the presenters on the sofa.
She added: "Richard and Judy said 'we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers'.
"It's been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
"I will miss you all so much."
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