Ever since the furore over “queue-gate”, reports have claimed that there have been “crisis talks” and plans for a potential “shake-up” at This Morning. And insiders now say the whole ordeal has pushed Holly Willoughby into a new direction too, as they reveal she’s ready to ditch her “good girl” image after becoming “sick” of being judged.
A source says, “Holly has gone from children’s TV to daytime TV in her career and she’s always felt as though she’s had to cultivate a saintly image.
“One thing she’s learned from the recent backlash is that everyone puts her on an incredibly high pedestal, and she thinks it’s ridiculous. At the same time, she knows she has brought it on herself as she’s spent years building up her image and brand as a family-friendly TV presenter – and that has come at a price.”
Holly is currently widely deemed to be TV’s “golden girl”, with a wholesome image, minimal PR disasters and presents herself as a relatable working mum.
But she has previously revealed her naughtier side – confessing in an interview that she breaks in new heels in the bedroom with husband Dan Baldwin, and heading up a team on the raucous panel show, Celebrity Juice, for 12 years until 2020.
However, the insider says that after shedding her butter-wouldn’t- melt persona, Holly is eyeing up her own chat show. They add, “Holly wants to show off her edgy side. There could potentially be a huge career change next year, or sooner, as she starts to imagine a life outside of This Morning.
“She wants to get feisty and share more of her opinions, rather than always being seen as Phil’s agreeable sidekick.”