Life After Holly Willoughby Begins on This Morning as ITV Show Returns
Key Highlights :
This Morning returned to ITV on Wednesday (October 11) for the first time since Holly Willoughby announced she would be leaving the show. Willoughby revealed on Tuesday that she would be stepping down from her role as co-host on This Morning effective immediately, leaving fans of the show wondering who will replace her.
The news of Willoughby's departure came following a turbulent 2023 for the departing host. Willoughby withdrew from her normal presenting duties on Thursday (October 5), moments before going to air, after police alerted This Morning bosses of an alleged kidnap plot. A 36-year-old man, Gavin Plumb, was arrested and appeared in court on Friday (October 6) charged with soliciting a man to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap between October 2 and 5. The court heard how Plumb had allegedly conspired online with another man and created a “detailed plan” to kidnap and kill Willoughby.
Earlier in the year it was alleged her close friendship with co-host Phillip Schofield had broken down with the off-air rift resulting in Schofield taking a break from the show.
This Morning returned to air for the first time after Willoughby's departure with the opening credits showing messages which read: "End of an era", "We'll miss you" and "Goodbye Holly". Presenters Craig Doyle and Rochelle Humes began the show by paying tribute to their "friend" and former colleague. Humes started by saying: "We want to start by sending our love, best wishes and respect to our friend Holly."
Despite Willoughby's departure from This Morning, ITV looked forward to continuing to work with her “in the future". Managing director for media and entertainment at ITV, Kevin Lygo, said: “We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.
So who will replace Willoughby? Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson are among the favourites to take over the role vacated by Willoughby. Odds from BonusCodeBets have shown that other presenters already a part of This Morning are among the favourites to take over Willoughby's role. The odds are as follows: Alison Hammond - Evens, Josie Gibson - 2/1, Rochelle Humes - 10/1, Lisa Snowden - 16/1, Amanda Holden 25/1, Davina McCall 33/1, Mel Giedroyc 33/1, Ruth Langsford - 33/1, Sue Perkins - 50/1 and Judy Finnigan - 50/1.
It's the end of an era but we want to thank Holly for the last 14 years on This Morning. She will forever be one of us. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and look forward to seeing who will take over her role on the show.
