10 February 2024 , 09:00
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Holly Willoughby is 42 today and its fair to say being 41 wasn't the easiest ride for the TV star. From quitting This Morning to a triumphant TV return, we take a look back at the mother-of-three's tumultuous last 12 months...
Schofield scandal
Close pals Phillip Schofield and Holly had presented This Morning together for 14 years, enjoying holidays together with their families offscreen too. The duo's popularity first began to wane with "Queuegate" in September 2022, when the presenters were accused of jumping the line to see the Queen lying in state. Phil and Holly insisted their VIP visit was a misunderstanding but the fallout saw 75,000 people sign a petition to get them axe from the show.
When Holly's co-star later sensationally quit the daytime programme in May as details emerged of his "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger male colleague, the scandal destroyed their friendship. In an interview Phil spoke of his final text to Holly, saying: "Don’t reply, you’re probably not allowed to, but I am deeply deeply sorry that I lied to you. And I am. It was the one secret in our sanctuary that was never mentioned."
Phil and Holly in happier times on the This Morning sofa (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)NTAs snub
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Holly returned to present This Morning after Phil had left but was immediately criticised for her "self-serving" comeback speech. Gripping the hand of her co-host Josie Gibson, she infamously asked viewers to take a deep breath, asking them if they were "OK". Some of them didn't buy it, with one writing on social media: "Not Holly throwing Phil under the bus".
Phil and Holly had been King and Queen of the NTAs, winning the Best Daytime Show award for 13 years, often appearing on This Morning the next day hungover and still wearing them glamorous outfits. But the programme didn't win last September and while Holly put a brave face on things and enjoyed a McDonald's after the ceremony, it felt like the end of an era.
"Kidnap and murder" plot
At the beginning of October, father-of-two Gavin Plumb was arrested and accused of a plot to kidnap and murder Holly. According to the charges, he allegedly "solicited, encouraged, persuaded, endeavoured to persuade" a third party to murder her.
The star has now teamed up with Stephen Mulhern to present Dancing On Ice (Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Plumb, of Potters Field, Harlow pleaded not guilty to the charges of soliciting to commit murder and incitement to kidnap as he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on November 3. He is set to stand trial in June.
The presenter took a break from This Morning when police arrested Plumb and was provided with round the clock security by ITV and announced her permanent departure from the show within days.
The comeback
While Holly said goodbye to This Morning she made a triumphant return to another show she presented with former best pal Phil last month. The star teamed up with old children's TV colleague Stephen Mulhern to front ITV's Dancing On Ice, choosing a sparkling silver gown for her first show.
Showbiz pals from Abbey Clancy to Patsy Palmer wished her good luck as viewers praised the "fresh energy" and "fun" the new duo brought to the reality TV show. As the show reaches its conclusion, the star's TV future looks bright once more.