It’s been a roller-coaster year for TV’s golden girl Holly Willoughby, whose glittering presenting career was left hanging in the balance in September amid the “Queue-Gate” drama that left thousands calling for her to be cancelled.
Over 75,000 furious This Morning viewers signed a petition for the 41-year-old presenter and co-host Phillip Schofield to be booted off the show they’ve fronted for the last decade, when they were accused of using their fame to skip the lengthy queue to see the late Queen Elizabeth lying-in-state.
The scandal – which saw the King and Queen of morning telly booed at the NTAs – not only tarnished the star’s reputation, but led many to question her future as ITV’s star presenter, which pals said left the usually bubbly Holly at her lowest ebb.
But in true fighting spirit, the wellness guru – who shares children Harry, 13, Belle, 11, and eight-year-old Chester with producer husband Dan Baldwin, 47 – has managed to overcome the drama and is planning to make 2023 her best yet by having another baby.
A source says, “Holly’s been longing for a fourth child for some time now, but had been putting it off while the kids were so young. Now they’re that bit older, she’s had a change of heart and is keen to start trying. She’s been through a rough few months, but ultimately it’s been Dan and the kids who’ve kept her going and they’ve been her rocks throughout it all. It’s made her realise more than ever that family is what’s most important to her – it’d be a nice surprise.”
Holly has made no secret of her broodiness over the years – regularly sharing photos of her two-year-old niece Mabel and cooing over kids who’ve appeared on the This Morning sofa.
In 2018, Holly confessed, “I’m always broody. Part of me wants another baby, but part of me thinks that’s not a good enough reason. I’ve almost decided not to – but not quite.”
And the source says that Holly – who recently shared videos of her Christmas night out with best pals Emma Bunton and Nicole Appleton – has even shared her thoughts with her friends, who are all on board.
The source adds, “Holly was chatting about it on her night out recently, and the girls were all urging her to go for it.
“She’s not getting any younger and, with her 42nd birthday looming in February, she’s also aware that she doesn’t have much time left – she doesn’t want to look back and regret not going for it. So she and Dan are going to talk it all through this Christmas, and test out how the kids would feel about it. She’d love to add to their beautiful family and the thought of a new arrival is making her all the more excited for 2023.”