Holly Willoughby found herself in stitches when comedian Alan Carr inadvertently repeated her well-known catchphrase, "Are you okay?" The incident occurred on Willoughby's YouTube show, Together, during a segment where she was having cocktails with Carr and comedian Lee Peart.
After all three admitted the drinks had begun to take effect, Carr innocently asked Willoughby, "Are you okay?" Willoughby initially responded, "I'm okay," before Carr realized the echo of her infamous phrase from her time on ITV's This Morning. He then repeated the question, prompting Willoughby to exclaim, "Not again! That's my line!" The pair, along with Peart, erupted into laughter, with Carr joking that he was "stealing" her catchphrase.
Willoughby has previously spoken about how conscious she has become of the phrase, to the point where everyday conversations can become difficult. She revealed that she now struggles to say "Are you okay?" and has resorted to using alternative phrases like "Are you alright?" or "How are you doing?" She also noted that people often panic when they realize they've asked her the question and she has to reassure them that it is acceptable.
The memorable moment from This Morning occurred over three years ago when Willoughby opened the show following the departure of her co-host Phillip Schofield, who had confessed to an affair with a younger colleague. Her opening line, "Firstly, are you okay? I hope so. It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil," quickly became an internet sensation and the subject of numerous memes.
Willoughby appears to be embracing the notoriety, using the joke on her new series, Together. The show has featured various segments, including cooking with Stanley Tucci and discussing fashion with Joanne McNally. The series has also had more emotional moments, with Willoughby breaking down in tears during an interview with a bereaved mother.
The new YouTube series marks a continued return to public life for Willoughby, who stepped down from This Morning in October 2023 following a stalking ordeal. Her departure from the ITV show came months after the program faced controversy surrounding Schofield's admitted affair.