Holly Willoughby is enjoying her new solo career after leaving This Morning and becoming ‘free’ from Phillip Schofield, friends have claimed.
The TV star is said to be smiling again and has also reconnected with Fearne Cotton after the pair drifted apart when they stopping filming Celebrity Juice.
Holly and Fearne, who met when they were teens and appeared as team captains on Celebrity Juice together, reportedly drifted apart a couple of years ago after taking different paths and ‘failed to check in on each other’.
It comes after a hellish year that saw Holly quit The Morning and ‘live in fear’ after discovering obese security guard Gavin Plumb plotted to kidnap, rape and murder her.
But now, the presenter, 43, is finally ready to step back into the spotlight by hosting a new Netflix reality competition show Bear Hunt, as well as returning to Dancing On Ice.
‘Leaving This Morning has opened up new opportunities for Holly,’ a source told The Sun.
‘Being free from being a double act with Phil [Phillip Schofield] has been good for her as well.’
Holly Willoughby is said to be enjoying her new solo career after leaving This Morning and becoming ‘free’ from Phillip Schofield
Holly quit This Morning shortly after her co-star and one-time best friend Philip Schofield admitted to an affair with a much younger colleague on the show
Indeed, her fallout with Phil seems far from over with the pair still no longer on speaking terms.
He returned to TV screens this week and appeared to take swipes at some of his former colleagues but those who know Holly well say she ‘doesn’t care’.
The source added: ‘After what she has been through, remarks like that are just nonsense.’
MailOnline has contacted Holly’s representatives for comment.
Holly ignored Phillip’s recent ‘swipe’ as she posed in stunning leggy new snaps on Saturday.
Her ex co-star on This Morning Phillip and his family appeared to mock Holly’s famous ‘are you ok?’ clip as he made his return to TV this week.
The presenter, 62, appeared on Channel 5’s Cast Away in which he thanks Ant McPartlin, 48, and Dec Donnelly, 49, as well as Joanna Lumley, 78, – but fails to mention Holly.
During the show he discussed his bitter parting of ways with ITV and This Morning, which he hosted for 21 years, while fending for himself on a remote island paradise, located off the coast of Madagascar.
Phillip was ousted from This Morning in May last year, after he admitted to lying about his relationship with a much younger male colleague.
The insider also revealed Holly has reconnected with Fearne Cotton as she seeks support and focuses on ‘self-care’
For the first time in her career she’s now a ‘free agent’ and is keen to explore opportunities across the pond and draw a line under her domestic troubles
Holly recently ignored Phillip Schofield’s recent ‘swipe’ as she posed in stunning leggy new snaps
Her ex co-star on This Morning Phillip and his family appeared to mock Holly’s famous ‘are you ok?’ clip as he made his return to TV this week
Holly distanced herself from her former best friend and during a ‘highly strategised’ return to the This Morning sofa in June 2023, she told viewers she had been left ‘shaken, let down and worried.’
But after the swipe Holly took to Instagram to celebrate the third birthday of her wellness company Wylde Moon as she shrugged off the recent drama.
She looked stunning in a light pink leggy dress with cute bow detailing on it as she posed with some silver balloons.
Holly penned in the caption: ‘Join our 3rd birthday celebrations with 20% off perfume, wax melts, diffusers and travel minis…
‘Just wanted to say a huge thank you for having been such a special part of our journey. Here’s to more years of connection and beautiful moments ahead.’
It comes after Phillip and his family appeared to mock Holly’s famous ‘are you ok?’ clip.
When she returned, she began by saying: ‘Hello, Firstly, are you okay? I hope so. It feels very strange sat here without Phil.’
Appearing to reference the now-famous speech on Cast Away, Phillip is seen having a BBQ with his family before heading off to the island.
In a clip obtained by The Sun, he gives out food to his wife Stephanie and their daughters Molly, 31, and Ruby, 28, and laughs: ‘If you’re ok, then we’re ok, and I’m ok… are you ok?’
No mention of Holly is made in the clip.
Holly’s said in the original statement that it: ‘Feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil and I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have.
‘Shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what’s been going on and full of questions’.
Holly distanced herself from her former best friend and during a ‘highly strategised’ return to the This Morning sofa in June 2023, she told viewers she had been left ‘shaken, let down and worried’
Phillip was ousted from This Morning in May last year, after he admitted to lying about his relationship with a much younger male colleague (pictured in April 2023)
‘All of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process’.
‘It’s equally hard to see the toll it’s taken on their own mental health. I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and wellbeing of everyone.’
She added: ‘I hope that as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that the show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.
‘And from the heart, can I just say thank you for all your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every day.’
Phillip does not mention his former co-star Holly in his new TV show Cast Away – but does make multiple swipes at his former colleagues.
Despite mentioning ITV co-stars Ant and Dec as well as Joanna Lumley, 78, Holly isn’t mentioned at all throughout the 45-minute episode.
In one outburst which will leave viewers wondering whether it is aimed at her, Schofield says: ‘When you throw someone under a bus, you’ve got to have a really bloody good reason to do it.
‘I got into telly because I love the nuts and bolts of telly, I never wanted to be famous. I’m not fussed about that.
‘I miss parts of it. I miss most of it, I’m honest. But there are bits that I really, really, really don’t miss.
‘You learn a lot about people. I don’t miss that.’
The disgraced presenter revealed this week he was taking part in his own survival show just 16 months on from leaving This Morning after admitting to having an ‘unwise but not illegal’ fling with a junior male colleague.
He is said to have turned down a selection of big money TV offers before choosing to sign up for Cast Away – which he believes will allow him to share his story in an ‘unedited and honest’ way.
Holly left This Morning in October 23 after presenting the show alongside Phillip for 14 years.
Sources at the time said she quit because the show ‘wasn’t the same’ after her co-host left but was finally ‘tipped over the edge’ by an alleged ‘kidnap and murder plot’, insiders have claimed.
Appearing to reference the now-famous speech on Cast Away, Phillip is seen having a BBQ with his family and asking: ‘…are you ok?’
Despite mentioning ITV co-stars Ant, 48, and Dec, 49, as well as Joanna Lumley, 78, Holly (pictured in 2023) isn’t mentioned at all throughout the 45-minute episode
It comes after Holly made a triumphant red carpet return at the NTAs earlier this month after stepping back significantly from public life
The TV presenter, who co-led This Morning for 14 years, beamed as she posed for a photo alongside This Morning regulars Alison Hammond and Rochelle Humes
Meanwhile, during the episode Schofield referred to ITV duo Ant and Dec as his ‘best mates’.
In May it was suggested Declan Donnelly had reportedly been trying to convince the former presenter to make a TV comeback, after the pair had a four-hour dinner together.
Joanna Lumley also featured, sending him a ‘good luck’ message.
Ms Lumley, 78, appeared in a similar programme in 1994. ‘Listen, Phil these are the tips I’ve got,’ she said.
‘Keep your knives sharp, spend much of the day trying to find wood otherwise you won’t be able to eat anything.
‘When I was on the island I made a pair of shoes out of my bra, and I would love to think that you could do something a bit challenging, and bring it back so we could all look at it.
‘I shall be thinking of you all the time Phil, and actually I’m a little bit jealous, lots of love.’
The new Channel 5 show comes after Holly reportedly moved out of her £3million family mansion – two months after stalker Gavin Plumb was jailed for his kidnap and murder plot.
The TV presenter stepped down from presenting This Morning after 14 years on the show due to the terrifying kidnap threat and subsequently took time out from the spotlight.
But in a sign that she may be moving past the horror ordeal and starting fresh, Holly is set to move out of her home, according to The Sun.
Pictures obtained by the publication saw removal vans outside the six-bed London property – where Holly has lived for 10 years.
A source said: ‘The house was central to Plumb’s terrifying plot.
‘It can never feel the same again for Holly and her family. She just wants to move on and put this all behind her.’
MailOnline has contacted Holly’s representatives for comment.
The television presenter’s deranged stalker Gavin Plumb, 37, who had plotted to kidnap, rape and murder her, was jailed for a minimum of 16 years in July
After Holly’s stalker Gavin was sentenced, she released an empowering statement, thanking the police and her legal team who brought him to justice.
She said: ‘As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.
‘I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.
‘Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.
‘I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.’
Holly Willoughby’s year from hell
Queuegate
Holly and Phillip came under fire in 2022 when they were accused of having ‘VIP access’ to skip the queue and file past the Queen lying in state
Holly and Phillip came under fire in 2022 when they were accused of having ‘VIP access’ to skip the queue and file past the Queen lying in state. Which the stars and ITV both denied.
Following the death of the monarch, Holly and Phillip attended the lying in state and claimed they were there to film for work purposes.
However because no footage from the day was aired, critics accused them of queue jumping in front of mourners who had waited hours for their moment to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II.
According to reports earlier this year, Holly was ‘devastated’ by the public reception and the broadcaster’s ‘decision to remain silent.’
In September, This Morning bosses denied show hosts Holly and Phillip had ‘VIP access’ and filed ‘past the Queen lying in state’ as they filmed a segment for the programme at Westminster Hall in London.
Despite the support from the broadcaster, there is no denying that public perception towards the pair had soured due to the events that unfolded.
Things were also strained between Phillip and Holly, with studio insiders claiming that the atmosphere was ‘awful’ and there relationship was ‘extremely awkward’.
The programme received more than 400 Ofcom complaints from viewers over the scandal. A petition on Change.org to get Phillip and co-host Holly axed from This Morning following the scandal reached almost 79,000 signatures.
Booed at the NTAS
Holly and Phil were booed as they accepted Best Daytime at the National Television Awards in the aftermath of the ‘queuegate’ scandal
Holly and Phil were booed as they accepted the Best Daytime Award at the National Television Awards 2022 in the aftermath of the ‘queuegate’ scandal.
Despite the criticism the broadcasters received, which some said was so severe it was impacting their mental health, This Morning still took home the Daytime gong.
While he did not address the controversy, Phillip said the award means ‘so much to us every year, especially this year’.
The widespread backlash sparked concerns for their mental wellbeing, particularly after it was revealed Schofield would not return to his lucrative We Buy Any Car deal.
Phillip Schofield feud
Phillip Schofield stepped down from This Morning in May after confessing he had a relationship with a much younger man who worked with him on the show
Phillip made a bombshell confession to the Mail that he had a relationship with a much younger man who worked with him on This Morning while still married to wife Stephanie Lowe.
Holly was at the centre of the fallout from Phillip‘s affair as critics questioned whether she knew of her co-star’s ‘deceit’ or if she too was hoodwinked by the presenter. She later confirmed she was in the dark over the affair.
Phillip further confessed that he lied to his employer ITV, to his colleagues, his friends and his agents at the management firm YMU.
Holly slammed her former ‘bestie’ following the revelations of his affair – and friends have said it was ‘traumatic’ for her to discover his dishonesty.
Holly said in a brief statement that she asked him directly if the news was true and that it had been ‘very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie’.
Sources close to the presenter said it had been a ‘traumatic’ revelation for the This Morning host and a ‘time of real sadness’ as Phillip ‘was her very close friend’.
Holly took an extended half term break while dealing with the revelations and returned to the This Morning sofa on June 5.
A tearful Holly returned to This Morning and immediately put the boot into Phillip. Beginning her speech with ‘are you ok?’, in a widely-mocked monologue.
Holly admitted she felt ‘shaken, troubled’ and ‘let down’ after her disgraced former co-host lied to her and ITV colleagues.
Phillip said he ‘didn’t tell anybody’ about his affair with his former This Morning colleague, confirming in an interview with the BBC that Holly ‘did not know’.
NTAs snub
Holly was snubbed from the TV presenter category for the second year in a row at the National Television Awards after the affair furore.
Holly and Phil had been longlisted for the best TV presenter prize, alongside fellow This Morning hosts Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Rylan Clark and Martin Lewis, but only Alison and Martin made the cut.
However, This Morning was nominated for best daytime show despite the affair scandal but later lost out to The Repair Shop.
Holly, who hosted alongside Phillip from 2009 onwards, continued to present the show with a series of co-stars, while MPs called on ITV bosses to address claims of toxicity and bullying behind the scenes.
Kidnap and murder plot
Holly exited in October This Morning after a former Pizza Hut worker was remanded in custody charged over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her
Holly then exited This Morning after a former Pizza Hut worker was remanded in custody charged over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
Gavin Plumb, 36, from Harlow, Essex, is accused of offences including soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap in relation to the broadcaster, allegedly contacting a hitman in the U.S. and booking him flights.
He has since plead guilty and will stand trial in June.
Insiders told MailOnline that the alleged plot pushed Holly to quit, throwing the show into chaos.
This Morning had due to be relaunched in January with Holly and a new host, sources say. Good Morning Britain‘s Ben Shephard was reportedly the favourite to replace Phillip.
The TV presenter pulled out of hosting This Morning and her London home was reportedly being guarded by police after Plumb was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of conspiracy to kidnap.
Holly’s full statement said: ‘I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
‘To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together.
‘Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.
‘Richard and Judy said we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers’. It’s been an honour to just be part of it’s story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
‘I will miss you all so much.’