Television star Holly Willoughby has formally admitted guilt to a charge of driving without due care and attention, following an incident where she knocked a scooter rider from his vehicle. The former This Morning host entered her plea by post, avoiding a personal appearance at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court.
Details of the West London Incident
The offence occurred on 28 August near Willoughby's £3 million home in west London. The court viewed footage showing the 44-year-old turning her £25,000 Mini Cooper right into a side street without indicating. As she manoeuvred, a rider on a white Piaggio scooter was overtaking her vehicle. The collision sent the scooterist flying to the ground.
The case was listed under her married name, Holly Baldwin. She is married to TV producer Daniel Baldwin. The short hearing proceeded without Willoughby in attendance.
A Troubled Period for the Presenter
This traffic incident adds to a string of challenges for Willoughby over recent years. Her return to television in early 2025 with Netflix's Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls was short-lived; the series was axed after one season reportedly due to high costs, including £1 million spent on security in Costa Rica.
Furthermore, ITV announced in March that Dancing on Ice, which she last presented with Stephen Mulhern, would be 'rested' with no current plans for a new series. This leaves Willoughby without a prime-time presenting role for the first time in years.
Past Difficulties and Future Speculation
Willoughby's past car troubles include abandoning a £100,000 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen in a disabled bay in 2019 after a flat tyre, and reporting the same vehicle stolen in 2016, only for it to be found abandoned.
Her professional life has also faced upheaval. She distanced herself from co-host Phillip Schofield in 2023 and later quit This Morning after a stalker, Gavin Plumb, threatened to kidnap and rape her. Plumb was jailed for life last summer.
Despite the recent setbacks, Willoughby remains a highly popular figure in UK television. She is now widely tipped as the favourite to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as host of Strictly Come Dancing next year, signalling a potential major career resurgence.
