She’s been taking a much-needed break away from the spotlight following the dramatic and abrupt exit of her long-term This Morning co-host and former BFF Phillip Schofield last week. As the fallout continued to dominate headlines, Holly Willoughby, 42, opted for an early half-term break to spend time with her three children – Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and eight-year-old Chester – who she shares with TV producer husband, Dan Baldwin, 47.
Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond stepped in to present the show as it was announced Holly wouldn’t return until early June. Just two days after Phillip’s shock exit, his nemesis, Eamonn Holmes, 63 – who alongside his wife, Ruth Langsford, was axed from guest-hosting the show in 2021 after 15 years – blasted the mum-of-three for “stabbing” her so-called pal in the back.
The sharp-tongued GB News host – who has previously spoken of his bitter feud with Phillip, 61 – said, “Holly is being as false as he is and nobody is talking about the elephant in the room.” While Phillip tellingly made no mention of his co-host of 13 years when announcing his departure from the show, Holly told her 8.3 million Instagram followers, “Hi everyone... It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
Eamonn swiped, “She says, ‘I thank him for all his knowledge, experience and humour’. All the things that she didn’t have when she came to the show. Well, it’s true! I would call that stabbing in the back.
“I could give you a list of the lack of kindness and lack of awareness from both of them. How they would socialise, and the people around them. You just have to look at my phone, full of people who are glad to see the back of the two of them.”
And pals close to the host-turned-wellness guru tell Closer how Eamonn’s cruel comments coupled with the onslaught of public backlash from viewers, has left her questioning her own future on the show.
A source says, “Holly is completely crushed right now and is an emotional wreck – telling friends that she’s not sure at this point if she wants to continue with the show.
“She was already devastated from the fallout with Phil and how everything transpired, so to now have the negative spotlight turned around on her is doubly heartbreaking, not to mention for her kids too. Holly’s children are older now and are at an age where they read things online and fully understand what’s going on. They’re hearing things at school about their mum and being questioned by friends, which is understandably upsetting and unsettling for them – and for Holly, that’s where the line is drawn.
“Her kids are her main priority and, at this stage, she’s not prepared to continue if it’s going to cause them any more distress – it would leave her wracked with guilt. While her contract isn’t due for renewal until September, right now she’s ready to pull the plug if it means protecting her family.”
Phil’s abrupt exit – announced two days after he waved viewers “goodbye” alongside Holly – followed a fallout that had developed between the pair, who were once so close they’d frequently holiday together with their families.
The mum-of-three – who also co-hosted Dancing On Ice with her former friend – was said to have been upset after Phillip kept her in the dark over his brother Timothy’s trial for child sex offences. Timothy was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy, leading Phil to publicly reject his brother.
In the lead-up to his departure, Holly was said to be pushing for ITV to make a decision so she could rebrand herself a “woman’s woman” amid reports she gave the network an ultimatum after turning on her pal.
The wheels began to come off between the pair as early as last September with what became known as “Queue-gate.” When Holly and Phil visited Queen Elizabeth II’s lying-in-state, their actions were interpreted by many as skipping a queue outside of up to 20 hours.
The source says, “Part of Holly wants to come back with a vengeance and prove that she can continue without her sidekick. But there’s also a big part of her that feels this situation has become so toxic and so embroiled with drama and negativity on her that the best thing to do would be to walk away.
“She’s very much weighing up her options right now, which at this present moment are swinging towards leaving and making a fresh start.Dan’s told her he’ll support whatever she decides to do and that, ultimately, it has to be her decision. He’s also urged her not to rush into anything.
“Holly’s gone from being the nation’s sweetheart to her entire career and reputation being on the line, and that’s not something she’s prepared to risk.
“Ultimately she’s devastated that it’s all ended like this and is incredibly sad for the personal and the professional loss, but her family comes first, and whatever decision she makes now will be whatever is best for them.”