Holly Willoughby's new YouTube lifestyle show, Together, has been met with largely negative reviews, with critics dubbing it an "empty gush fest" and comparing it unfavourably to Meghan Markle's Netflix series.
The former This Morning presenter, 45, launched the online channel on July 28. The first episode featured her cooking with Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci and ran for 50 minutes.
Critical reception
The Telegraph gave the show one star out of five, writing: "With Love, Meghan is a masterpiece compared to this borefest – the Duchess of Sussex a veritable Anthony Bourdain." They added that the show "aims to harness the popularity of Willoughby's years as co-host of ITV's This Morning, but instead makes it clear that she is a presenter who works best with a tight script and an autocue."
The Times awarded two stars and called the show "an empty gush fest", criticising Willoughby's presenting style. The paper noted: "Willoughby still fell into the trap that so many female TV presenters do — she gushed too much. 'You're amazing,' she told Tucci. 'No, you're amazing,' he replied. All right, all right, we get it. I think it will have to become edgier than this to make its mark in a very crowded field."
Mixed to positive reviews
The Guardian gave three stars, saying the show "comes off as an aggressive audition for whether Willoughby is allowed to be famous again." However, they added: "The best moments come when she stops trying to violently rebrand herself and just allows herself to be quick, funny and endearingly nervous about her new venture."
The Mirror also awarded three stars and said it has potential to improve, noting: "There is some interaction from the crew which includes Holly's husband Dan and that helps the show feel organic and not too stuffy, and one suspects when everyone grows in confidence, it might feel a little more lively."
The i paper was more negative, suggesting Willoughby may struggle to build an audience on YouTube, which depends on a "highly engaged fanbase" that she "never built". The review wrote: "The public either wants honest, unfiltered imperfection or glamour and something to aspire to. Willoughby still hasn't decided which she wants to be. Together is proof that her superpower was always her ability to be professional, not a personality."
Background
Willoughby fronted ITV's This Morning for 14 years but stepped down in 2023, months after co-host Phillip Schofield left after admitting to an "unwise, but not illegal" affair with a young male colleague.
Holly Willoughby Together will release two episodes per week and is available on YouTube, streaming platforms and across social media.
