It’s been one of the toughest years yet for Holly Willoughby after enduring uncertainty over her career, a public court case following a terrifying kidnap plot and the on-going betrayal of her former best friend.
But ever-triumphant as TV’s unbeatable golden girl, Holly, 43, is returning with bells on this Christmas as she makes her TV return for ITV’s You Bet!, alongside Stephen Mulhern next weekend.
And an insider tells Closer that, while traditionally fresh starts begin in the New Year, Holly believes that Christmas is the perfect time to shed the ghosts of her past, and she’s determined to make this year’s festivities the best yet.
The source says, ‘It's been an endless year of horrendous problems and Holly has told Dan that after the year they’ve all had - she needs a break.
‘Holly knows that being surrounded by her family and closest friends always fills her with strength and Christmas feels like the perfect day to celebrate breaking free. It's been a tough year - Holly is marking that with nothing but uplifting Christmas spirit and joy.’
After over a decade of fronting This Morning with her closest friend, Philip Schofield, and remaining one of the most-loved and well-paid presenters on TV, Holly’s world came crashing down last year.
In May, fans of the ITV morning show were shocked when it emerged that Phil has embarked on an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a much younger colleague – leading to him sensationally quitting the show.
At the time, Holly revealed she had been lied to and had been left ‘shaken, troubled and let down’, but faced huge amounts of scepticism online from fans who accused her of knowing the truth.
In October, during his Channel 5 Cast Away documentary, Phil did not name Holly but seemingly accused her of ‘throwing him under the bus’, with sources later revealing how he now refers to her within his inner circle as ‘the witch’.
And while Holly attempted to navigate the sinking ship at This Morning amid on-going rumours of toxicity amongst staff in the workplace, she was forced to quit just months later when news of a terrifying plot to kidnap and murder her emerged.
‘I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family,’ Holly announced ahead of her departure in October 2023.
Now, following the court ruling of lifetime imprisonment for the perpetrator in July, the source says Holly sees Christmas as her chance to stop and appreciate everything and everyone she has and to start to move on with her life.
And with the busy mum, who shares children – Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and Chester, 10 – with husband, TV exec Dan Baldwin – admitting that she listens to Christmas songs in August and has all presents wrapped by November, there is no doubt that Holly will be kept busy in the way she loves best.
The source adds, ‘Holly makes Christmas for her family and loves every moment of the craziness. Although, of course, she orchestrates the day with military precision and is always in charge of the cooking.’
Previously opening up about her love of Christmas – which has seen her dressing up as ‘Mrs Christmas’ herself for a Dancing on Ice final – Holly revealed her favourite parts of the festivities with fans.
Holly revealed that she and the children watch Elf in matching pyjamas through December, before attending the nativity at the local church and starting off the Big Day itself with a Terry’s chocolate orange and a Buck’s Fizz.
‘Then the flood gates open and the eating and the festivities continue. It really is eat, drink and be merry,’ she added.
And the source says the Willougby-Baldwin household will be full this year.
They add, ‘She is going all out this year and hosting the entire family at their home - although the temptation to celebrate the festivities in Portugal [where Holly owns a luxury villa] is also there.'
Holly could also be taking a well-deserved break in the New Year before what appears to be a busy 2025.
In January, she is set to return to Dancing on Ice alongside Stephen Mulhern, and fans are eagerly awaiting the release date of her new Netflix show, Bear Hunt, alongside friend Bear Grylls.
It is the first time Holly has starred on the streaming platform, and TV insiders are already predicting that her popularity will receive a huge boost stateside.
But for now, the insider says Holly wants to hold her loved-ones close and relish what’s most important in life after what has been a tense year comes to a close.
The source says, ‘Having those near and dear close by means the world to Holly - she is going to soak up the goodwill and enjoy.’