Holly Willoughby’s shock confession: ‘Angry rows with my husband were scary’

TV golden girl Holly Willoughby reveals the key to her successful marriage to husband Dan Baldwin – sexual chemistry and blazing rows!

holly willoughby

by Yasmin Thomas |
Updated on

They have always appeared to have a blissful family life and a picture-perfect marriage together.

But This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby has revealed that it’s not all plain sailing for her and TV producer husband- of-14-years Dan Baldwin. After more than a decade with each other – and since being on a “journey of self- discovery” in recent years, after confessing last week that her drive to be “perfect” had left her feeling “detached from reality” – she admits she now finds it cathartic to “shout” and “get angry” during blazing rows.

Speaking at An Evening With Holly Willoughby in London last week, to promote her new lifestyle and wellness brand Wylde Moon, Holly, 40, surprised fans with her shock confessions as she told them that, instead of giving Dan the silent treatment if something is wrong in their relationship, like she used to, she now prefers to “rip the band-aid off”.

“What I’ve found is that, a lot of the time, we like to stay in the safe middle ground, where everything is nice and smiley and nothing is ugly,” Holly said.

“But when I started to reconnect [with my emotions], I found I was getting angry all the time. And Dan’s like, ‘I wish you could not be so angry’. So I would be getting really angry, and he would be like, ‘I’m not sure this is good.’”

Yet Holly, who shares three children – Harry, 12, Belle, 10, and Chester, seven – with Dan, 46, says she’s now learned that rows have actually helped their marriage to remain solid.

holly willoughby ant and dec
She started her journey of self- discovery during I’m A Celeb ©Shutterstock

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She said, “It was scary and frightening [at first], but I thought, ‘Let’s just stick with it and see where it goes’. And now I love it! Because talking through your problems can take you months or weeks, but in a hot flash of anger, you’ll shout something, and rip the band-aid off. You don’t have to be afraid of it or be scared by it.”

In her memoir Reflections – which came out earlier this month – Holly also gave an account of these rages, saying, “If I’m watching something on TV and my husband suddenly asks, ‘Why are you watching this s**t?’ it’ll spark something deep inside and I will get disproportionately angry about it.”

Having met in 2004 when Holly was presenting ITV’s Ministry Of Mayhem, a show Dan produced, the couple married at the luxury Amberley Castle in Sussex in 2007. But the mum of three has since admitted that marriage isn’t a fairy tale.

Check out: the 25 beauty products Holly Willoughby swears by

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections

Gallery

Holly Willoughby's Favourite Make-Up Products - slider

Burtu2019s Bees 100% Natural Satin Lipstick1 of 25
CREDIT: Amazon

Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Satin Lipstick in Blush Basin

Holly always rocks a nude lipstick look and this one leaves your lips moisturised. Speaking on the Beauty Full Lives podcast she admitted it was her make-up artist who discovered the lippy."I love Burt's Bees anyway because it's really lovely and natural. So [Patsy] brought in this lipstick and it's my favourite one is called Blush Basin. And it's got loads of shea butter in it, and it just feels like a lip balm with colour in it. It's just the nicest lipstick, it doesn't get stuck on your lips."

Lily Lolo Brow Duo Pencil2 of 25
CREDIT: Amazon

Lily Lolo Brow Duo Pencil

It sounds like Holly isn't the biggest fan of brow products, as the TV presenter has admitted she "doesn't like drawing attention" to them. However she did add that she's "particularly fond at the moment of Lily Lola's eyebrow pencil".

Caudalie Beauty Elixir3 of 25
CREDIT: Cult Beauty

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Want your face to look radiant? Then you're going to want this. Holly's revealed why she regularly uses it, "For anyone who wakes up really early in the morning or just sometimes needs a spritz of life…it just zings you! It's lovely on your skin".

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion4 of 25
CREDIT: Amazon

Liz Earle Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion

Holly hailed this eye cream as her 'saviour' before going on to say exactly how she uses it."I put it on two cotton wool pads and then I just hold them on my eyes for about 30 seconds."I feel like it just takes down that redness and that puffiness," she admitted on This Morning.

Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish5 of 25
CREDIT: Look Fantastic

Vita Liberata Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish

So Holly doesn't actually wear fake tan, instead she puts this on her legs sometimes when she's on This Morning. "This is a leg makeup but, to be honest, I would never wear it in real life. This is for the telly..."But this leg stuff, I really like it. If I'm wearing a skirt on This Morning, sometimes I put a bit on my legs just to even the tone out a little bit," she said on the Beauty Full Lives podcast.

Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye - 10.01 Baby Blonde6 of 25
CREDIT: Look Fantastic

Garnier Nutrisse Permanent Hair Dye in 10.01 Baby Blonde

It's hard to believe but Holly Willoughby actually uses Garnier's hair dye on herself for her blonde locks. The presenter has even shared her at-home routine on Instagram.

L'Oreal Professionnel Infinium Extra Strong Hairspray7 of 25
CREDIT: Look Fantastic

L'Oreal Professionnel Infinium Extra Strong Hairspray (500ml)

Never a hair out of place, Holly has been known to wear this hairspray by L'Oreal to help it stay perfect all day. There's also the travel size (75ml) option if you're wanting to keep it in your bag or take it with you on your hols.

Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath8 of 25
CREDIT: John Lewis

Elemis Skin Nourishing Milk Bath

Holly's a big fan of this product and the reason why is lovely."I love the Elemis Skin Nourishing Bath Milk because I had that in the bath when Dan proposed to me," she told Red magazine.The formula includes milk protein, oat and camellia oil and they'll leave your skin deeply nourished.

DRUNK ELEPHANT Protini Polypeptide Cream9 of 25
CREDIT: Amazon

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Okay it's pretty pricey but Holly's skin always looks flawless so maybe this is the answer?

Becca Cosmetics Under Eye Brightening Corrector10 of 25
CREDIT: Space NK

Becca Cosmetics Under Eye Brightening Corrector

Want an airbrush finish? Well this eye brightening corrector will leave you looking luminous, flawless while having weightless coverage.

Inika Radiant Glow (30ml)11 of 25
CREDIT: Naturisimo

Inika Radiant Glow (30ml)

Primer is always a good first step before applying your foundation. It really allows the foundation to set into your skin, meaning your make-up doesn't move an inch. Inika is a good option for those with sensitive skin, and this product is organic and vegan-friendly. Holly definitely seems to be a fan.

Hourglass No.28 Primer Serum12 of 25
CREDIT: Cult Beauty

Hourglass No.28 Primer Serum

This primer is exactly what we want in our make-up bag. While it's a little on the pricey side, there's always the travel size too for £22.

Garnier Original Medium BB Cream13 of 25
CREDIT: Look Fantastic

Garnier Original Medium BB Cream

Holly's a fan of this BB cream and we're not surprised; it gives you 24 hour hydration, includes SPF15 and leaves you with softer and smoother skin.

Kevyn Aucoin The foundation Balm - shade 0814 of 25
CREDIT: Cult Beauty

Kevyn Aucoin The Foundation Balm in Shade 08

Not only is this foundation "innovative and complexion-correcting" but it always leaves you with a radiant and flawless coverage.

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder15 of 25
CREDIT: Harvey Nichols

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder (10.5g)

If you're wanting your makeup to stay all day and a powder that doesn't settle into lines, this one does just the trick. Holly has been known to wear this setting powder to be red carpet ready. With it being translucent, it's a great choice for all skin tones and there's also the travel size option, too.

Sculpted By Aimee Custom Edition Refill Pan16 of 25
CREDIT: Boots

Sculpted By Aimee Custom Edition Refill Pan in Light Bronze

Everyone loves a good highlighter but we're not going to lie we couldn't believe it when we discovered Holly uses this high street one. Definitely going in our shopping bag.

INIKA Baked Mineral Bronzer, Sunkissed17 of 25
CREDIT: Naturisimo

Inika Baked Mineral Bronzer in Sunkissed

If you have sensitive skin then this is perfect for you. This bronzer will leave you looking sunkissed which is what we want all.

TRISH MCEVOY Liquid Face Colour18 of 25
CREDIT: Liberty London

Trish McEvoy Liquid Face Colour

Want a subtle blusher? Then this one is perfect for an every day look.

Hourglass Ambientu2122 Lightning Blush in Sublime Flush19 of 25
CREDIT: Hourglass Cosmetics

Hourglass Ambient™ Lightning Blush in Sublime Flush

Holly loves to wear this blush in the shade Sublime Flush. It's the perfect combo of soft pink and lilac. With the way it catches the light, you'll be glowing like Holly in no time.

LimeLife by Alcone Perfect Eyeshadow20 of 25
CREDIT: LimeLife by Alcone

LimeLife by Alcone Perfect Eyeshadow in Blush Hour

Holly's eyeshadow always looks gorgeous but subtle at the same time. Perfect for an everyday look.

Bobbi Brown Luxe Rich Sparkle Eye Shadow21 of 25
CREDIT: Look Fantastic

Bobbi Brown Luxe Rich Sparkle Eye Shadow in Moonstone

Holly adds a touch of shimmer to her eye make-up and it helps create glam vibes for your look.

Lily Lolo Natural Eye Pencil - Black22 of 25
CREDIT: Lily Lolo

Lily Lolo Natural Eye Pencil in Black

We love an eye pencil especially for a night out which is why we definitely want to buy the one Holly's a fave of. Plus the ingredients are moisturising - which is great for sensitive skin.

Trish McEvoy Eye Brightener Shell23 of 25
CREDIT: Liberty London

Trish McEvoy Eye Brightener in Shell

Holly wears a cream eye brighteners pencil and we absolutely need to get our hands of this... Especially for those days when we're exhausted...

Long Lash Vegan Mascara24 of 25
CREDIT: Inika Organic

Long Lash Vegan Mascara

This luxurious formula is vegan friendly and the ingredients are all plant derived.

Lord & Berry 20100 Matte Lipstick25 of 25
CREDIT: The Fragrance Shop

Lord & Berry 20100 Matte Lipstick in Adorable

Holly wears Lord & Berry's matte lipstick in the shade Adorable - the perfect colour for a nude lip look.

“You’re an idiot if you think you just get married and then you tick along happily ever after for the rest of your life,” Holly previously revealed. “Marriage is something we have to work at.”

And speaking last week, Holly added, “My husband says to me, ‘You’d organise the fun out of anything’ because I do, I literally do. It’s terrible! He is a ‘live in the moment’ kind of guy.”

However, despite their differences, Holly has confessed the couple share a sizzling chemistry, and play “saucy games” in the bedroom.

She said, “I’m not a foot fetishist or anything, and I do enjoy saucy games with my hubby, but I have found the best way to break in new shoes is to wear them during sex.”

It’s no wonder her lockdown project, Wylde Moon, is set to earn her millions as her followers strive to emulate her style and happy family life.

As Closer reported last week, Holly has been preparing for life after This Morning, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary rumoured to be lined up to replace her and fellow presenter Phillip Schofield. Holly’s reps denied she is leaving the show, but insiders said she is “secretly relieved” that, when she does leave, she will be able to focus on her new projects, as well as making room for quality family time.

The launch of her new wellness website stemmed from a change in her perspective on life after filming I’m A Celeb! in Australia alongside Declan Donnelly in 2018, when Ant McPartlin was taking a career break following his drink-driving crash and an addiction to prescription pills.

Holly says being away from her family, who remained in the UK, for a number of weeks for the first time turned into a “time of reflection” as she began exploring her spiritual side, learning about crystal healing and meditation.

Closer magazine
©Closer magazine

She said, “Through this wonderful kinesiologist [a therapist who studies body movements and their meaning] called Josie, I really started to unlock pieces of myself and when I came back to England, I knew that I didn’t want to stop everything I’d learned.”

Holly has also admitted that lockdown had forced her to stop and evaluate her life and, after turning 40 in February, she’s now focused more than ever on creating the future she wants – months on from an acrimonious split from her former agency YMU, which has left her with the freedom to pursue the projects she loves.

And last week, Holly added, “I’ve had a breakthrough, and now it’s not an option for me not to be myself. In my 30s, I knew something was missing but I didn’t know what it was. And it was me – I was missing, that’s what it was. I’ve had to get to know myself again and I’m learning to do that.”

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‘Anger can be healthy in a relationship – but there’s a limit’

Psychologist and relationship expert Noel McDermott says, “Anger is healthy in a relationship – to a degree. Anger is how we communicate our boundaries and emotions, and it can open up a pathway to solving issues or having conversations that need to be had. Just like exercise – in particular boxing – is a great way to relieve stress and help you think about issues, anger in a relationship can be a positive thing.

“However, there’s a limit and a balance, and I think it becomes unhealthy if it’s all the time. It shouldn’t be a go-to response or emotion. If you look at your partner and feel anger, it’s not right. I think you’d need to look at how often these angry rows are happening to determine whether or not it’s healthy – perhaps look back over a three-month period and think about how regularly they occur. Perhaps seek counselling or re-evaluate the relationship if it’s more often than not.”

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