Comedian Katherine Ryan believes that TV presenter Holly Willoughby is facing a difficult time attracting viewers to her new YouTube series, 'Together,' attributing the struggles to public perception shaped by past scandals and a broader societal tendency to blame women for men's transgressions.
Ryan, who appeared on Willoughby's series, suggested that the public may still hold a grudge against Willoughby, citing the 2022 "queue-gate" incident where she and her former co-host Phillip Schofield were accused of bypassing the line to see Queen Elizabeth II's coffin. Ryan noted that public figures can sometimes be "whisked away" in such situations without full awareness of the circumstances.
Furthermore, Ryan pointed to the aftermath of Schofield's departure from ITV in 2023, following his admission of an extramarital affair with a younger male colleague. Ryan argued that women often bear the blame for actions taken by men. She raised questions about whether Willoughby was involved in illicit relationships or if she was a victim of deceit by others, contrasting it with the male-dominated nature of the scandals.
Willoughby also faced a credible threat when Gavin Plumb was jailed for life in 2024 for plotting to kidnap, rape, and murder her. Ryan suggested that Willoughby has been "traumatised by men" and associated with events she did not cause.
Despite these challenges, Ryan expressed optimism about Willoughby's new venture, hoping that a new audience will see beyond her television persona to discover her more personable qualities.