Holly Willoughby has spoken about her brave recovery after twisted loner Gavin Plumb's plot to kidnap, rape and murder her was uncovered by police in October 2023. The ordeal came weeks after her co-host Phillip Schofield resigned over lying about an affair with a young staffer.
Speaking at the launch of her new YouTube series Holly Willoughby Together, Holly told The Daily Mirror how the horrifying ordeal changed her and how she spent months soul searching before deciding to return to broadcasting.
Stepping Away from the Spotlight
Holly said: "Obviously everybody knew what happened and it was a difficult time. Everybody in their own way goes through something. I needed a bit of time out, just to come to terms with everything. I needed a little space and time with family and my friends, just to be away from work."
Now Plumb is serving a life sentence and Holly is taking baby steps to reclaim her crown as the queen of lifestyle TV with the launch of her new YouTube series Together With Holly Willoughby. The show features celebrity guests including Stanley Tucci, Nicole Appleton, Katherine Ryan, Emma Bunton, Rob Beckett and Joanne McNally and has cooking tutorials, real life interviews, fashion advice and wellness tips.
Family Support Through Trauma
Holly, 45, credits her children Harry, 17, Belle, 15 and Chester, 11, and her husband Dan, with pulling her through. She said: "Life moves on, and I'm a mum, and I have my kids, and my husband, and all the important stuff in life. If there's anything I've learned, it's don't look too far into the future. It's just day by day. Let's just see what happens."
Dan's company Hungry Bear is producing Holly's new show, and working together has been a blessing. Holly said: "I'm now doing this with my husband, and this feels like the right time to be doing this."
Inspired by Children's Viewing Habits
It was Holly's children who inspired her to make a show for YouTube, after she realised they preferred it to traditional TV. However, Holly is too familiar with the dark side of fame to invite her children onto the show. She said: "I've kept my kids very separate from everything. They're not adults yet, but they can make their decision when they're adults and if that's what they want to do, they can do that."
Laughter as Medicine
Holly's infectious giggle is showcased in her new series as she jokes with guests. She said: "I have a glass of wine, sit and cook a really nice meal and just have a laugh. I think laughter really is the best medicine. It's the most important thing. You can diffuse any situation. If I'm having a rubbish day I'll find myself going on YouTube, watching things that make me laugh. Even if it's stupid cat videos. My daughter is like, 'Stop sending me cat videos!' I can't help it, it makes me laugh. I think you've just got to find those things. Find those little bits of joy."
Tackling Tough Subjects
Holly doesn't shy away from tough subjects. One of her first interviews is with grieving mum Ellen Froome, who believes the 2022 death of her 14-year-old son Julian 'Jools' Sweeney was caused by an online 'blackout challenge'. Her story left Holly tearful, but she was inspired by Ellen's strength after she successfully fought for Jools' Law, which forces social media companies to automatically save a child's online data within five days of their death.
Holly said: "She's telling her story and I'm looking at this woman, and I'm just thinking, 'How are you putting one foot in front of the other?' He was her only son, it's the reason why her marriage ended and she's on her own. The only thing she's got is this drive, this determination, to make sure that no other parent goes through something like this again. I wonder if in those circumstances, 'Would I be as strong as you?' And honestly, I don't know. I just love telling stories like hers, because I think we can all learn a little bit from it."
Together With Holly Willoughby will be available on YouTube from 28th July.
