There aren’t many British presenters whose personal life and career choices land on front pages as often as Holly Willoughby’s. For over a decade, she was the face of daytime television — until two very different crises in 2023 upended everything. This article traces her story from This Morning’s golden era through Philip Schofield’s affair admission and the shocking kidnap plot that followed.

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Full name: Holly Marie Willoughby ·
Born: 10 February 1981, East Sussex, England ·
Years on This Morning: 2009–2023 ·
Children: 3 ·
Spouse: Dan Baldwin (m. 2007) ·
Instagram followers: 8M+

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Left This Morning on 10 October 2023 after 14 years (BBC News)
  • Phillip Schofield admitted an affair and lied to her (Evening Standard)
  • Gavin Plumb convicted July 2024 for kidnap plot (BBC News)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth figure remains unverified (Wikipedia)
  • Status of friendship with Schofield after exit unknown (Wikipedia)
3Timeline signal
  • June–October 2023: Schofield departure, Willoughby return, then her exit (BBC News) (AP News)
  • July 2024: Plumb sentenced to life (AP News)
4What’s next
  • New television projects rumoured; currently not on a regular show
  • Plumb’s appeal period ongoing as of early 2025

Six key facts that define Holly Willoughby’s public profile, drawn from verified sources.

Label Value
Full name Holly Marie Willoughby
Date of birth 10 February 1981
Spouse Dan Baldwin (producer)
Children 3 (Harry, Belle, Chester)
Years active 2000–present
Notable show This Morning (2009–2023)

What disability does Holly Willoughby have?

Holly Willoughby has no publicly confirmed or diagnosed disability. She has discussed experiencing anxiety and stress, particularly during high-pressure periods in the public eye, but has not stated she lives with a formal disability. This distinction matters because online speculation sometimes conflates emotional strain with a clinical condition — something Willoughby herself has never claimed.

The implication: absent any official disclosure, assuming a disability on her behalf would be inaccurate.

What has happened to Holly Willoughby?

Exit from This Morning

Willoughby announced on she was resigning from This Morning after 14 years as co-host, saying it was “for me and my family” (BBC News). Her departure followed months of turbulence after Phillip Schofield’s exit and the revelation of a plot to kidnap her. ITV confirmed her resignation was a mutual decision.

The upshot

Willoughby’s exit took less than a week to decide once the kidnap plot became public — her family’s safety overrode any professional ties to ITV.

Gavin Plumb kidnap plot conviction

Security guard Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, was arrested on over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Willoughby (Wikipedia). Reports described Plumb as having prepared a “kidnap and restraint kit” (BBC News). Undercover US police officers intercepted his online communications. Plumb was convicted on after an eight-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court (BBC News), found guilty of soliciting murder and inciting kidnap and rape. On he received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years (AP News).

The pattern: two unrelated crises — a workplace betrayal and a criminal plot — converged within months, leaving Willoughby with no viable path back to daytime TV.

What this means: The convergence of Schofield’s betrayal and the kidnap plot forced Willoughby to prioritise family safety over a 14–year career, ending her era on daytime television.

What happened between Philip and Holly?

Phillip Schofield’s affair admission

In May 2023, Schofield admitted to a “consensual on-off relationship” with a younger male colleague at This Morning (Evening Standard). He left the show immediately, ending a 15-year partnership with Willoughby.

Why this matters

Schofield had publicly denied the rumours for years while sitting beside Willoughby on air — the trust fracture was as personal as it was professional.

Holly Willoughby said he lied to her

Willoughby later stated it was “very hurtful” to discover Schofield’s account had been a lie, especially after she had asked him directly about the rumours (Evening Standard). Their friendship effectively ended. Willoughby returned to This Morning solo on (Wikipedia) but left four months later.

The trade-off: Willoughby chose to preserve her integrity by calling out the lie publicly, but that decision made her continued presence on the show untenable once the kidnap plot emerged.

Consequence: The fracture with Schofield, compounded by the kidnap threat, made it impossible for Willoughby to remain on This Morning without risking further personal harm.

How many children has Holly Willoughby got?

Names and ages of her children

Willoughby and her husband Dan Baldwin have three children: Harry (born 2009), Belle (born 2011), and Chester (born 2014). She has spoken about balancing motherhood with her television career, often crediting her family as the reason she stepped away from This Morning.

What dress size is Holly Willoughby?

Willoughby has not officially disclosed her dress size. Media reports commonly estimate UK size 8–10, but no verified source confirms this. In an industry where body scrutiny is routine, her silence on the matter is notable — she has declined to feed the cycle of measurement-based commentary.

Was Holly sacked from This Morning?

No. Willoughby resigned voluntarily. BBC News reported her departure as a resignation, while ITV described it as a mutual decision. The distinction matters because the rumour that she was fired persists on social media — the evidence points to her choosing to leave.

The catch

A mutual decision can be a face-saving formula, but no credible source has produced evidence of a sacking. The public record backs Willoughby’s version.

This distinction reinforces that no credible evidence supports the sacking rumour.

Timeline: Holly Willoughby’s career and crises

  • — Born in East Sussex, England
  • — Began modelling and presenting
  • — Married Dan Baldwin
  • — Joined This Morning as co-host
  • — Schofield admits affair, leaves show
  • — Willoughby returns solo
  • — Gavin Plumb arrested
  • — Willoughby resigns
  • — Plumb convicted
  • — Plumb sentenced to life

Two keynote statements from the central figures in the story.

“For me and my family.”

— Holly Willoughby, statement on leaving This Morning, October 2023 (BBC News)

“I had a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague.”

— Phillip Schofield, admitting the affair (Evening Standard)

Additional sources

lbc.co.uk, bbc.com, standard.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, mirror.co.uk, independent.co.uk, southernpulse.org, journalactu.fr

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Frequently asked questions

What is Holly Willoughby’s height?

She is approximately 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in), though this is not officially confirmed by her.

Does Holly Willoughby have a podcast?

As of 2025, she does not host a regular podcast. She has made guest appearances on others’ shows.

What awards has Holly Willoughby won?

She has won several National Television Awards for Best Daytime Show alongside the This Morning team, as well as TRIC Awards.

How did Holly Willoughby meet her husband?

She met Dan Baldwin, a television producer, while working on the show Love Island (the original series) in 2006.

Is Holly Willoughby returning to TV?

No formal announcement has been made as of early 2025. She is reportedly considering production roles and limited presenting.

What is Holly Willoughby’s net worth in 2025?

Estimates vary widely, from £3 million to £10 million. No verified tax filing or public company accounts confirm a precise figure.

What does Holly Willoughby do for charity?

She supports several UK charities including Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Prince’s Trust, and has participated in fundraising telethons.

How did Holly Willoughby start her career?

She began modelling at age 17 and moved into television presenting with The Xtra Factor in 2003.

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