This Morning Calls ‘End Of An Era’ As Holly Willoughby Resigns
ITV’s This Morning opened Wednesday with a tribute to presenter Holly Willoughby who announced on Tuesday that she would not be returning to the show in the wake of the foiled kidnap and murder plot by a stalker.
In a heartfelt segment on This Morning, co-hosts Rochelle Humes and Craig Doyle opened up about the emotional departure of their colleague Willoughby from the show. The duo commenced the day’s episode by extending their warm wishes and respect.
Rochelle began: “We want to start by sending our love, best wishes and respect to our Holly.”
Echoing the sentiment, Doyle reminisced about Willoughby’s significant decision the previous night, stating: “Last night, Holly made what we know will have been a heartbreaking decision to leave this morning after 14 years.”
Humes elaborated: “Holly loved her job here and was really looking forward to the future of the show. But recent events, especially in the past week, have been hard to deal with and she’s quite rightly put her family first.”
Acknowledging the camaraderie shared with Willoughby, Doyle expressed: “On behalf of everyone here in front and behind the camera, we just loved working with Holly and she made coming to work so much fun. We’re all really, really sad and we’re really gonna miss her.”
Hume continued: “Holly said she’s incredibly proud of what she’s achieved on this show and so are we. She will forever be one of us.”
Concluding the poignant reflection, Doyle reinforced the enduring legacy of the show despite the emotional farewell, affirming: “But as Holly Willoughby knows only too well, the show must go on.”
On Tuesday, having hosted the show for 14 years the beloved presenter made the announcement on Instagram and in a statement published on ITV’s website. Willoughby said was making the decision for herself and her family. She thanked staff at the broadcaster and the “wonderful viewers” who had been “so loyal” and “supportive.”
She wrote: “It’s been an honour to just be part of [This Morning’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.”
Willoughby had been absent from her usual slot presenting the show since Thursday, when it was revealed police intervened in an alleged kidnap plot and arrested a 36 year old man. Authorities announced on Friday that the man has been charged with soliciting to commit murder, incitement to commit rape and incitement to commit kidnapping.
