Holly Willoughby's new YouTube lifestyle show, 'Holly Willoughby Together,' has partnered with Voy, a company that manufactures weight loss medication, including the pill form of Wegovy. This move has sparked controversy as Willoughby has consistently refused to discuss weight loss or diets throughout her 20-year career.
Launch Event and Partnership Details
Speaking at the launch event in London, Willoughby, 45, described the show as an extension of her genuine interests, including happy healthy living, fashion, beauty, and real-life stories. The show will feature a food segment called 'Cook Together,' where she cooks a nice meal with a glass of wine and focuses on having a laugh. She stated, 'I think laughter really is the best medicine.'
George Pallis, Founder and CEO at Voy, expressed that the partnership is 'genuinely aligned' with the company's beliefs. The show, set to stream later this month, will release two episodes per week and include celebrity guests such as Stanley Tucci, Katherine Ryan, and Emma Bunton.
Willoughby's History of Avoiding Weight Discussions
Willoughby has been vocal in the past about not promoting weight loss or diets. In 2019, she explained that she 'deliberately' avoided discussing weight because people become 'obsessed,' and parents of children with eating disorders had told her that society's 'fascination' with weight made things harder for them. She stated, 'I don't think it's helpful to the conversation, for women generally. As long as you are healthy and happy, that's really all that matters.'
In 2017, when she appeared noticeably slimmer, she refused to discuss her weight, saying she 'doesn't want to become part of the problem' surrounding body image. She recounted parents who had lost children to eating disorders and emphasized, 'I don't want to be a part of it. Body image is such a dull subject when there is so much more to talk about. As long as you're happy and you're healthy, move on.'
Voy's Weight Loss Products and Concerns
Voy describes itself as a brand that 'delivers comprehensive care across weight loss' and claims to help people 'lose up to 21.5% body weight.' They are behind Wegovy, a prescription medication that mimics the natural gut hormone GLP-1 to suppress appetite and slow digestion. The pill form of Wegovy was recently approved for use in the UK but is not yet available on the NHS.
A spokesperson for BEAT, the UK's Eating Disorder Charity, expressed concerns: 'Weight loss drugs have been touted as a convenient "quick fix", but the reality is that they have the potential to cause serious harm in the wrong hands. We're concerned that these drugs, particularly in pill form, are being marketed as no more dangerous than taking vitamin tablets when this is not the case. We'd also urge companies to use responsible language during any and all advertising, and not trivialise the serious side effects these drugs could cause.'
Willoughby's Response and Show Content
At the launch, Willoughby acknowledged that the show 'is not going to be for everybody, everybody doesn't have to watch it.' The show will also include segments on fashion and beauty tips, alongside real-life stories. The Mirror approached representatives for Holly Willoughby, Voy, and show producers Multitude Media for comment.
