Comedienne Katherine Ryan believes Holly Willoughby is facing an uphill battle to attract viewers to her new YouTube series, "Together," attributing the struggle to public perception shaped by past scandals and misogyny.
Willoughby's show, described as a "home for real conversations," launched last month with a reportedly shaky start. Ryan, who appeared on the second episode, suggested in comments at a West End play launch that the public still harbors resentment towards Willoughby, citing the 2022 "queue-gate" incident as a significant factor.
In 2022, Willoughby and her then-co-host Phillip Schofield were accused of skipping the line to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state. Ryan posited that Willoughby, 45, may have been "whisked away" and may not have fully grasped the situation, but that the public associates her with it.
Ryan, 43, also contends that misogyny plays a role in the backlash. She drew parallels to the scrutiny faced by women in public life, contrasting it with the actions of men. "I think what happens is we get blamed for the actions of men," Ryan stated, referencing Schofield's resignation from ITV in 2023 after admitting to an extramarital affair with a younger male colleague. She also alluded to a man who "tried to kill her," referring to Gavin Plumb, who was jailed for life in 2024 for plotting to kidnap, rape, and murder Willoughby.
Despite these challenges, Ryan expressed optimism for Willoughby's new venture, hoping a new audience will see "behind the breakfast television veneer of who Holly Willoughby is, because she's fun."