HOLLY Willoughby has left ITV’s This Morning after spending the weekend in tears discussing the decision with her family.
The TV favourite, 42, is said to have been secretly considering the move for “weeks” following a hostile social media backlash.
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Holly Willoughby quit ITV’s This Morning after spending the weekend in tears discussing the decision with her familyCredit: Rex
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Holly has been hit by drama and ‘toxicity’ on the set of This Morning, including her co-host Philip Schofield’s cheating scandalCredit: Getty
Her shock departure is of great concern to This Morning, which is still awaiting the results of an investigation into the show into claims of “toxicity” on set.
Holly’s statement yesterday – announcing her departure after 14 years – came days after she was axed by ITV when an alleged kidnap and murder plot against her by supermarket security guard Gavin Plumb was revealed.
She said: “I told ITV today that I will not be returning to This Morning after 14 years.
“To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, a big thank you.
“This is such a hard parting, you are amazing and I will forever be proud of what we have done together. I will not return to This Morning.
“Thank you to everyone at ITV for your support. To every guest who sat on our sofa, thank you.
Holly’s statement
“Today I have informed ITV that after 14 years I am not returning to This Morning. To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, a big thank you.
“This is such a hard parting, you are amazing and I will forever be proud of what we have done together. I’m not going back to This Morning.
“Thank you to everyone at ITV for your support. To every guest who sat on our sofa, thank you.
“Most of all, thanks to the wonderful viewers. You have been so loyal, supportive and the best company every day.
“Richard and Judy said ‘we just care about this show, it will always belong to the viewers’.
“It was an honor to be a part of the story and I know that this story has many more chapters.
“Unfortunately, however, I now feel that I have to make this decision for myself and my family. I will miss you all very much. Holly.”
“Most of all, thanks to the wonderful viewers. You have been so loyal, very supportive and the best company every day.”
Holly, 42, also mentioned Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who hosted the show from its launch in 1998 to 2001, in her statement.
She added: “Richard and Judy said, ‘We just care about this show, it will always belong to the viewers’. It was an honor to be a part of his story and I know there are many more chapters to this story.
“Unfortunately, however, I now feel that I have to make this decision for myself and my family. I will miss you all very much. Holly.”
Those who were close to her say that the decision to leave was incredibly difficult.
A source said: “There have been a lot of tears over the past few days. Holly had a long talk with her children, and then with her husband Dan and parents.
“She absolutely loves This Morning and has committed herself to the show. But recent events have changed everything and Holly must put her family first.
“Holly personally told This Morning boss Martin Frizell and ITV Daytime chief executive Emma Gormley. Both conversations were very emotional.
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Holly’s final appearance on the show, pictured with co-host Josie Gibson Credit: Rex
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Holly’s first appearance on This Morning – pictured with former presenter Schofield Credit: ITV
“They obviously wanted her to stay, but they said they would fully support her decision.
“ITV are looking after Holly and have provided her with a support package as well as an offer of counseling should she need it.”
Friends said Holly’s falling out with former co-host Phillip Schofield, 61, also played a big role.
They added: “This has been an incredibly difficult decision for Holly but, in all honesty, she hasn’t been truly happy at work since the fall out with Phil. It was hard to see him hung out to dry and it took its toll.
“Fourteen years in any job is a long time, and she was considering other opportunities during the summer. It seems like the right time to leave — albeit under the darkest of circumstances.”
Phil and Holly have also come under fire for allegedly skipping the mile-long public queue at the late Queen’s home last year.
The magic is gone
From Clemmie Moodie
IT’S not so much the end of an era, more the seismic implosion of a crumbling giant.
This Morning, once the jewel in ITV’s daytime crown, has been rotting for months.
The spell is gone.
Holly Willoughby and her former best friend, Phillip Schofield, were the glue that held him together.
But without Phil, Holly looked lost.
The circumstances of her departure are truly horrific.
She needs time to recover before making her next big career decision.
Holly is a fighter and extremely, commendably ambitious.
She will surely come back bigger and stronger.
Holly’s decision to quit also fueled speculation about the findings of an external investigation into the long-running series.
The inquiry was commissioned by ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall following Phil’s departure.
He quit in May after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a young member of the production team.
The scandal, which ended Holly and Phil’s previously close relationship, led to accusations of a “toxic” work environment.
Eamonn Holmes, who hosted the program for 15 years, blasted This Morning in a scathing interview, while co-host Dr Ranj Singh also made allegations of bullying.
Ratings have also fallen since the scandal, with 100,000 viewers tuning out when Phil and Holly’s row was first announced.
The report, expected last month, has yet to be released, and insiders admit they believe the results could be damning.
An ITV source added: “Alarm bells are ringing on This Morning. Holly’s departure is a huge loss and an external review has yet to see the light of day. Internally, it raises questions about how damaging the revelations might be and what impact they might have.
“Some think it’s time for an overhaul, starting at the top.”
On Friday, The Sun reported that Gavin Plumb, 35, from Harlow, Essex, had been charged with conspiring to kidnap Holly. He is also accused of contacting the “killer” in the US and allegedly making the binding equipment.
He faced the JPs in Chelmsford on Friday.
He was refused bail and will appear in the city court next month.
Despite their rift, ex-boyfriend Phil got back in touch with Holly over the weekend after the alleged plot was revealed.
A source said: “She was very happy to hear him.”
Richard and Judy told The Sun: “We both believe this is a brave and wise decision. Holly has been through a lot recently, very publicly, and her desire to prioritize and protect her family life has to take precedence over what is, at the end of the day, just publicity.”
As the Sun fronted the ITV drama
May 11: The Sun reveals that Holly and Phil are no longer on speaking terms.
May 12: Phil issues a bombshell statement to The Sun confirming the story, saying: “It hasn’t been easy for me or Holly”.
May 13: The Sun reveals a tense phone conversation between Holly and Phil as their rift becomes public.
May 15: Phil calls in lawyers to protect his reputation, The Sun reveals.
May 17: The Sun reveals This Morning bosses are planning a major shake-up.
May 21: ITV ax Phil as he is asked to step down – The Sun reveals exclusive details behind the shock departure.
May 22: Friends tell the Sun that Phil is “absolutely devastated” after being forced to leave.
May 27: Phil issues a bombshell statement about the affair as The Sun talks about the fury from his fans and colleagues.
May 28: Friends tell The Sun of Holly’s upset at Phil’s betrayal as his colleagues threaten to quit.
May 29: The Sun reveals sponsors are leaving ITV over scandal.
May 31: Holly confirms she is returning to This Morning from Monday despite calls for her to step down.
June 1: ITV launches an independent investigation into This Morning and a quiz of top bosses and stars including Holly
June 2: Phil gives his first bombshell interview to The Sun and apologizes for his lies.
June 3: In his second explosive interview with The Sun, Phil says he doesn’t dare leave the house for fear of being spat on.
June 4: The Sun reveals all the details of the speech Holly will give on her return to This Morning.
June 5: Phil vows not to look at Holly as he returns to the sofa without him and says he’s too damaged.
June 6: Holly vows never to speak publicly about Phil again, but friends confirm she will reach out to him when the dust settles.
August 27: Holly fully complies with an external investigation as ITV boss Kevin Lygo says he has handed in his phone
September 27: The ITV inquiry is adjourned until the end of this year
September 6: This Morning loses at the NTA as Phil unfollows Holly on social media and she performs united
October 6: Holly goes off air after a shocking kidnapping plot is revealed as Gavin Plumb is charged with solicitation to commit murder
October 7: American hitman contacted for plot to ‘murder’ Holly
October 8: Shock ITV security breach days before plot to kidnap Holly is revealed
9 October: Holly privately contacts Phil after leaving ITV because he supports her over the kidnapping plot
October 11: Pal reveals Holly’s pain at leaving ITV as staff fear the show will fail
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