Holly Willoughby has shared that she has become "so lazy" since stepping away from her role on the ITV daytime show This Morning after 14 years. The presenter, 45, who launched her YouTube show "Together" last month, discussed her current lifestyle and preferences in a recent podcast appearance.
Willoughby described herself as "half woman-half mattress" since stopping work, indicating a significant shift from her previously busy schedule. "For somebody who worked a lot and was really busy and people were like 'I don't know how you do it, how do you keep so many plates spinning?'," she recalled. "I was like, wow, I'm literally half woman-half mattress. I adapted like that."
Speaking on the podcast "Bottom’s Up!" with Alan Carr and Lee Peart, she humorously remarked that her presence on the show was a significant effort, stating, "Just being here is hard. I'm here for the drinks, let's be honest."
Willoughby also embraced the label "basic b***h," confessing a fondness for Echo Falls wine and simple hangover cures. When asked about her preferred wine, she identified Merlot as her choice, and on being prompted about Echo Falls, she confirmed, "Oh yeah I like an Echo Falls."
Her strategy for dealing with a hangover involves eating her way through the day, with preferences for fry-ups, picky bits, scotch eggs, and pork pies. She also admitted to enjoying "plastic cheese slices" and pork scratchings, which she folds into a "little wonton."
Willoughby departed from This Morning in October 2023. This decision followed revelations of a plot to kidnap her and came five months after her co-host Phillip Schofield admitted to lying about a relationship with a younger colleague.
Her return to the public eye with her YouTube show "Together" has met with mixed reviews. The first episode featured actor Stanley Tucci and was noted for attempts at relatability, including swearing and innuendos. Critics have drawn comparisons to Meghan Markle's lifestyle series, with some reviews describing Willoughby's show as less engaging than Markle's previous venture.
While the show has garnered a significant number of views and subscribers on YouTube, its critical reception has been lukewarm. Reviewers have pointed to issues such as shaky camera work, long running times, and forced conversation. Some critics suggested that the show struggled to define whether it aimed for unfiltered imperfection or aspirational glamour. Future episodes are set to feature guests such as Nicole Appleton, Emma Bunton, Katherine Ryan, and Joanne McNally.