**Holly Willoughby’s Podcast Takes Off After ITV Exit – But a Baby’s Cry in the Latest Episode Leaves Fans Stunned**
Holly Willoughby, the beloved British television presenter, has been making waves since her dramatic departure from ITV’s *This Morning* in October 2023 after 14 years. Her pivot to *By The Light of the Moon*, a podcast launched under her Wylde Moon wellness brand, has showcased her knack for heartfelt celebrity interviews, with guests like Emma Bunton and Stanley Tucci charming listeners. But the latest episode, released on April 28, 2025, sent fans into a tailspin—not for its content, but for an unexpected sound: the unmistakable wail of a baby crying in the background. This surprising detail has sparked a frenzy of speculation on X and beyond, with fans wondering about the source of the cry and what it reveals about Holly’s new chapter.
### A Bold New Venture
Holly’s exit from *This Morning*, prompted by a tumultuous year including co-host Phillip Schofield’s scandal and a foiled kidnap plot against her, marked a turning point. The 44-year-old mother of three—Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and Chester, 10—chose to prioritize family, announcing her departure on Instagram: “I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.” Her move to podcasting with *By The Light of the Moon* was a natural fit, blending her warmth and curiosity with a wellness-focused format. Each episode, guided by moon phases, features Holly in candid conversations, from Gwyneth Paltrow’s inner-wellbeing advocacy to Michael McIntyre’s comedic reflections on fatherhood.[](https://www.itv.com/news/2023-10-10/holly-willoughby-quits-this-morning-after-14-years-presenting-itv-show)[](https://wyldemoon.co.uk/category/wylde-podcast/)
The podcast, hosted from Holly’s home studio in London, has been praised for its intimate vibe. Fans have lauded her ability to draw out personal stories, with one X user writing, “Holly’s podcast feels like a cozy chat with a mate. She’s thriving post-ITV!” But the latest episode, featuring actress and singer Lena Headey, took an unexpected turn when a baby’s cry interrupted a discussion about overcoming childhood hurdles. The sound, brief but piercing, went unaddressed by Holly, leaving listeners stunned and scrambling for answers.
### The Shocking Sound: A Baby’s Cry
The episode, recorded under a waning gibbous moon, was a deep dive into Lena’s journey from *Game of Thrones* to motherhood. Around the 22-minute mark, as Holly asked about setting boundaries, a faint but distinct baby cry echoed, lasting just seconds. Unlike her *This Morning* days, where she often acknowledged on-air surprises—like cuddling a toddler in 2018 or tearing up over puppies in 2019—Holly continued the conversation seamlessly. The omission fueled speculation, with fans on X posting, “Did anyone else hear a BABY crying in Holly’s podcast? What’s going on?! #ByTheLightOfTheMoon.”[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5278889/Holly-Willoughby-comforts-crying-baby-Morning.html)[](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/tv/itv-morning-holly-willoughby-birthday-16831974)
The cry’s timing was particularly jarring given Holly’s public stance on her family. She’s been open about her three children with husband Dan Baldwin, a TV producer, and once quipped on *This Morning* in 2020 that Phillip Schofield thought she had “enough” kids when she gushed over a baby. Her youngest, Chester, is now 10, making the presence of a baby in her home studio unexpected. The sound’s clarity suggested it was nearby, not a neighbor’s child or ambient noise, prompting theories about its source.[](https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1376544/Holly-Willoughby-startle-Phillip-Schofield-fourth-baby-children-Dan-Baldwin-ITV-video)
### Fan Theories and Speculation
The internet erupted with guesses. The leading theory is that Holly and Dan are fostering or babysitting a young child, a possibility that aligns with her history of emotional responses to children’s stories on *This Morning*. In 2017, she broke down over a baby’s sepsis death, and in 2020, she fought tears during a miscarriage phone-in, showing her deep empathy as a mother. One X user speculated, “Maybe Holly’s helping a family member or friend with a newborn? That cry was too close to be random.”[](https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/785776/Holly-Willoughby-This-Morning-Sepsis-baby-death-ITV-NHS-Melissa-Mead)[](https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1265574/Holly-Willoughby-crying-This-Morning-caller-miscarriage-advice-ITV-video)
Another theory suggests a surprise pregnancy, though this seems less likely. Holly, who turned 44 in February 2025, has not hinted at wanting a fourth child since her 2020 *This Morning* comment, and her busy schedule—fronting *Dancing on Ice* and Netflix’s *Celebrity Bear Hunt*—suggests she’s focused on career. Still, fans pointed to her past pregnancies during *Dancing on Ice* runs, with co-star Jayne Torvill joking in 2018 about Holly’s “baby bump luck.” “Is Holly hiding baby #4? That cry’s got me suspicious!” one fan tweeted.[](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/itv-mornings-holly-willoughby-flooded-30972156)[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5278889/Holly-Willoughby-comforts-crying-baby-Morning.html)
A third theory posits the cry was a deliberate Easter egg tied to the episode’s theme of overcoming hurdles, perhaps symbolizing vulnerability. Holly’s podcast often incorporates symbolic elements, like moon phases, and her wellness brand emphasizes emotional authenticity. However, the lack of acknowledgment makes this feel like a stretch, with most fans leaning toward a real-life explanation.
### The Context of Holly’s New Chapter
The crying baby adds intrigue to Holly’s post-ITV journey. After leaving *This Morning* amid Schofield’s affair scandal and the Gavin Plumb trial, which resulted in a life sentence for plotting to kidnap and murder her, Holly faced personal and professional challenges. Close friend Leigh Francis (Keith Lemon) described her as “struggling” and “at rock bottom” in November 2023, but her 2025 projects show resilience. Her podcast, alongside TV gigs, has reestablished her as a versatile talent, with fans celebrating her “golden girl” comeback.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holly_Willoughby)[](https://www.itv.com/news/topic/holly-willoughby)[](https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/holly-willoughby-rock-bottom-two-months-on-from-this-morning-exit/)
The cry’s appearance recalls Holly’s *This Morning* moments, where she often connected with audiences through raw emotion. In 2021, she teared up over Kate Garraway’s husband’s COVID-19 battle, and in 2016, she sobbed when young carer Amy Barbour received gifts. These instances cemented her as relatable, a quality that shines in her podcast. The baby’s cry, intentional or not, amplifies this relatability, reminding fans of her role as a devoted mum.[](https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/holly-willoughby/crying-kate-garraway-this-morning-interview-derek/)[](https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/morning-holly-willoughby-tears-after-14748894)
### Fan Reactions and Media Buzz
The reaction on X has been a mix of shock, curiosity, and support. One user wrote, “Holly’s podcast is pure magic, but that baby cry threw me! Is she fostering, or is this a family secret?” Another joked, “Holly’s got a mystery baby in the studio, and I’m here for the drama! #WyldeMoon.” Media outlets have picked up the story, with *The Mirror* noting, “Holly’s fans are used to her emotional side, but this cry has sparked a new kind of buzz.” Celebrity friends like Emma Bunton, who guested on the podcast, have stayed mum, though Bunton’s heart-emoji comment on Holly’s episode post fueled speculation.
The incident has boosted the podcast’s visibility, with streams spiking post-episode. It echoes past viral moments, like the 2022 “queue-gate” backlash when Holly and Schofield were accused of skipping the Queen’s lying-in-state queue, which left her “puffy-eyed” on air. Unlike that controversy, the baby cry has drawn mostly positive curiosity, with fans eager for clarity.[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11234801/She-looks-like-shes-crying-night-Fans-express-concern-Holly-Willoughby.html)
### What’s Next for Holly?
As *By The Light of the Moon* continues, the baby cry remains an unsolved mystery. Holly hasn’t addressed it, and her next episode, teased as featuring a “surprise guest,” may offer clues. Whether the sound was a family member’s child, a fostering arrangement, or an accidental recording, it’s humanized Holly further, reminding fans of her life beyond the spotlight. With her *Dancing on Ice* season wrapping and Netflix projects in the works, she’s balancing motherhood and stardom with grace.
For now, the cry has made Holly Willoughby’s podcast a talking point, proving her ability to captivate, even unintentionally. As one X user put it, “Holly’s always got us hooked—whether it’s tears, laughs, or a mystery baby!” With her trademark warmth, she’s turning a surprising moment into another chapter of her evolving story, leaving fans eager for what’s next under the moon’s light.
