Holly Willoughby has launched a new twice-weekly YouTube show, titled "Holly Willoughby Together," marking her return to public-facing content creation after a period of absence. The series, produced by her husband Dan Baldwin's Hungry Bear Media and sponsored by Voy, a weight-loss provider, features segments on conversation, cooking, fashion, wellness, and social connections.
Willoughby departed the popular British television program "This Morning" 14 years after beginning her tenure, following a credible threat against her life by a former security guard. The man was sentenced to life in prison. This event, along with the public fallout from her former co-host Philip Schofield's departure, significantly impacted Willoughby. She described the psychological damage as profound, leading her to withdraw from public life.
"Everyone knows what happened to me," Willoughby stated in an interview with Katie Hind for the Daily Mail. "Why should I not be able to carry on doing what I do because of what happened?" She expressed that the experience altered her perspective, leading her to state, "I've had real fear, I know what that's like. Your perspective changes after something like that."
The new YouTube show aims to showcase a more uninhibited side of Willoughby, featuring celebrity guests like comedian Katherine Ryan and chefs such as Stanley Tucci. Segments include culinary demonstrations, fashion tips, and candid conversations with friends, including Emma Bunton and Nicole Appleton. Willoughby noted that her daughter Belle was an inspiration for the show, as younger generations are more engaged with platforms like YouTube than traditional television.
Despite the lighter content, Willoughby intends to address more serious topics. One episode features an interview with tech safety campaigner Ellen Roome, discussing the tragic loss of her son. Willoughby described the experience of returning to work after her hiatus as feeling like "just given birth!"
Willoughby acknowledged that she is not universally popular but stated she no longer fears public opinion. "I know I'm not everyone's cup of tea... I don't fear what people think," she said. She also reflected on her time at "This Morning," expressing fondness for the show and her colleagues, and noted that her children had been on the program over the years. She spent time focusing on family life after leaving the show before gradually returning to television work with appearances on "You Bet" and the Netflix reality show "Bear Hunt."