Holly Willoughby quits This Morning after 14 years

This Morning host Holly Willoughby has resigned after 14 years.

Announcing her decision to leave the ITV daytime show on Instagram today, the 42-year-old said it was a ‘difficult goodbye.’

Holly’s statement in full: 

“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 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 best company every day.

“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 I feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.

“I will miss you all so much.”

The presenter has had a challenging year, which began when she was accused of skipping the queue to see The Queen lying in state at Westminster Hall in September 2022.

In May her long-standing friend and This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield left the show under a cloud after he admitted to having an affair with a much younger colleague. A report into a ‘toxic work environment’ at ITV Daytime, as complained about by current and former ITV staff, was due to be released at the end of September so far it has not been published by the broadcaster.

It is unclear whether Holly is stepping back from all television work or just This Morning following the revelation last week that there had been a plot to kidnap and murder her. Holly was also the regular co-host of Dancing on Ice.

36-year-old Gavin Plumb of Potters Field in Harlow has been charged with soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap. He is alleged to have formed a plot to kidnap and murder Willoughby. He was arrested on Wednesday last week with ITV informed the following morning and Holly decided to pull out shortly before she was due to go on air.

Josh Wheeler, a Broadcast PR specialist and the founder of the Broadcast Agency, ‘Be Broadcast’ notes:

“Holly’s departure was inevitable—it was always about when and how. The real challenge for ITV was ensuring they retained talent, both in the show and in Holly herself. Thanks in large part to Holly, “This Morning” has not only stabilised but could now actually be poised for a transformative evolution.

“No brand, no matter how iconic, is invincible. Yet, “This Morning” is an institution that deserves to endure. But now is the time for big thinking. It needs to get in and amongst its audiences and one way would be greater outreach across the nation. BBC Breakfast’s shift to Salford proved that talent and guests will move. “This Morning” should be the voice of every village, town, and city, every single day. Why not consistently move keeping things fresh, reminding us of what it is to be British and genuinely bringing us together. 

“Now, more than ever, our nation craves connection, insight, and mutual understanding. “This Morning” could uniquely position itself to bridge these gaps putting the audience front and centre. Challenging? Absolutely. But the word “impossible” only holds weight until it actually done. Such a transformation not only rejuvenates “This Morning” but also preserves its rich legacy, placing the audience at the very heart of its mission.”