She’s made no secret of her longing to have a fourth child – confessing, “I’m always broody”, as the mum-of-three admitted she’d love to expand her family.
But after Holly Willoughby’s 23-year career was left hanging in the balance amid the recent scandal with her former This Morning co-host, Phillip Schofield, 61, pals say she’s put her baby dream to bed as she focuses on rebuilding her reputation.
A source says, “Holly’s been to hell and back over the last few months and there have been points where she thought everything she’s worked so hard for over the last two decades could be over, which understandably left her incredibly shaken.
“While she has long toyed with the fantasy of having one last child, after everything that’s happened over the last few months, she’s decided to focus all her energy on repairing her career and, after some very long and tough talks with her husband Dan, she’s decided that now really isn’t the right time.”
In 2018, the 42-year-old – who shares sons Harry, 13, Chester, eight, and 11-year-old daughter, Belle, with TV producer Dan Baldwin, 48 – confessed, “I’m always broody. Part of me wants another baby but part of me thinks that’s not a good enough reason.”
And two years later, the star admitted to having “serious bump envy” after spending time with her then-pregnant TV presenter pal, Angela Scanlon.
The source says, “While Holly had been toying with the idea of having another baby, after everything that’s happened professionally over the last few months, she realised that if she wants to salvage her career, she needs to make peace with the fact that her focus needs to be on work and the beautiful family she already has.
“Right now, her priority is her kids and repairing her reputation as she continues to do everything in her power to regain her crown as the nation’s sweetheart and salvage her image.”
Since Phillip dramatically quit This Morning in May and admitted his affair with a younger male colleague, defiant Holly has continued to put on a brave face after returning to the sofa without her co-host of 14 years.
In the aftermath of the scandal, the host-turned-wellness guru revealed she was “shaken, troubled and let-down” by her former best friend’s secret, which she adamantly insisted she knew nothing about – despite viewers questioning her honesty and calling for her to step down from the show.
At the time, crisis management experts believed her tarnished reputation could be beyond repair – not only leaving her presenting career in the balance, but also that of her wellness brand, Wylde Moon, and her mega-bucks endorsement deals.
Last week, Holly – who’s worth a staggering £8 million – faced fresh backlash amid reports she’s set to sign a new lucrative deal with This Morning, just weeks after rumours she was planning to quit the show.
Angered viewers were quick to slam Holly’s big pay rise – with some blasting it “disgusting”, especially when the country is in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.
But in true Holly spirit, the stunning star continued to brush off the criticism as she shared a snap of herself cooking a family recipe in the kitchen of her £3 million London home.
The news was also said to have caused friction between the Dancing On Ice presenter and her co-host, Josie Gibson, amid reports she wants to fly solo away from Holly’s shadow.
And as Holly continues to plaster on her famous smile in the face of her critics, insiders tell Closer she’s devised a master plan to regain her crown as the nation’s sweetheart.
The source adds, “Holly’s been working closely with crisis experts as well as her team at her own agency, Roxby Management, who’ve carved out a plan to repair the damage caused by the recent scandal and ensure that she can repair her squeaky-clean image which has helped make her millions.
“While Holly tends to keep her personal life private, she’s going to be sharing more glimpses of her family life in the coming months in the hope of reconnecting with her fans and showing off her more ‘real’ side.
“She’s also intent on putting her all into making This Morning better than ever and not running from the show – proving she’s committed and devoted and has nothing to hide.
“Holly knows there’s a lot of mistrust and a feeling she’s let people down, so she’s hell-bent on regaining that trust and fighting back as she cements her role as the Queen of daytime TV.
“While there’s of course a pang of sadness that her baby dream is over, she knows it’s the right decision and now she’s come to peace with it, she can fully focus 100 per cent on her gorgeous family and winning back the hearts of the nation.”