Holly Willoughby admits 'life kicked her up the backside' after This Morning exit
Holly Willoughby opens up about her horrific ordeal in 2023, and why she doesn't "fear" people not liking her new show.
Holly Willoughby says life "kicked her up the a**" after she left This Morning.
Back in 2023, the 45-year-old star quit the daytime show after 19, and just months later it emerged she was the victim of a kidnap, rape and murder plot from former security guard Gavin Plum, who was later sentenced to life imprisonment.
Speaking to the UK's Grazia magazine, Holly said: "I started my forties every much thinking, 'I've worked out life now'. Life really sometimes knows how to just kick you up the ass and go, 'Hang on a minute'.
"Everybody knows what happened and it was difficult. It was a really difficult time.
"It did set me back and made me realise, 'Right, well of course you haven't got everything figured out. Of course life is going to keep throwing challenges at you.' "
While it was a horrific thing to endure, Holly admitted she is at a point now where she doesn't get scared of what people think.
On Monday (20.07.26), she announced her TV comeback with new YouTube series Holly Willoughby Together, and she isn't letting herself worry.
She explained: "I don't fear what people think because I know what real fear feels like. This shouldn't be scary. This should be something really enjoyable.
"If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. But you have to have a go. What's the other option? Just sitting scared and never doing a thing again?"
Meanwhile, Holly is pragmatic about the fact she is "not for everybody", but that those who do like her work will find the new show.
She said: "Not everybody's gonna like what you do, that's just a fact. I'm not for everybody.
"On this new platform, people find you and come to you because they're interested in you. I'm not being forced upon anyone.
"I actually feel a little bit safer because I'm saying, 'I don't know if I can do this - we'll all find out together!' In a way, that's less pressure."
Holly’s decision to relaunch her career with the new online series comes she tried out several TV projects over the last few years, including a revival of ITV's You Bet! and Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt, which both got shelved.
Her most recent TV appearance was presenting final of Dancing On Ice in March 2025, which marked the end of the longrunning figure skating competition.
Holly's new lifestyle series, which is launching on July 28 as a twice-weekly series, will feature guests including Stanley Tucci and Emma Bunton.
Holly said in a statement: "I’m so proud of the work all the team who make Together have put into this exciting new project. We’ve had a lot of fun developing it and look forward to seeing what you think."
