Holly Willoughby’s vow: ‘I have to take this risk’

After recently returning to TV screens, Holly Willoughby eyes up a future in making hard-hitting documentaries

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Holly Willoughby’s vow: ‘I have to take this risk’

After recently returning to TV screens, Holly Willoughby eyes up a future in making hard-hitting documentaries

Following her Bear Hunt success, Holly Willoughby is returning to the world of TV – but far from cosy daytime shows, a source reveals that her sights are now firmly set on grittier documentaries.

Ruling the This Morning sofa for 14 years, Holly, 44, garnered a reputation as daytime TV’s bubbly blonde bombshell. However, after an appalling stalking plot turned her world upside down in 2023, she chose to step back from the spotlight to take time away.

But having made her return to the world of showbiz, an insider tells Closer that Holly hopes to be taken more seriously – shedding her golden girl reputation and delving into more serious and, possibly darker, topics.

Holly Willoughby ©IMAGO

Revealing that she’s ready to use her own traumatic experiences as inspiration for a documentary, the insider reveals, ‘Holly wants to break out of her daytime presenter role and get into more serious journalism and reporting that hits home. She has a much deeper understanding of some heavy subjects, and she’s grown a lot in the past couple of years. The phrase “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” rings true.’

They add, ‘Holly’s told pals that she’s become a bit bored and wants to step away from the heels and lip gloss. She’s said she’s not afraid to take risks and explore unknown territories. It’s definitely a U-turn from daytime TV, but she’s ready to face it head-on with her own series.’

Holly ©IMAGO

Last summer, former security guard Gavin Plumb, 37, received three life sentences for a plan to kidnap, rape and murder Holly. His depraved plan was thwarted after an American undercover police officer came across Gavin on online forums. Following the sentencing, Holly released a statement saying women should ‘not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes’.

Revealing that the TV star isn’t afraid to delve into her own trauma, the insider says, ‘Holly is open to using her own horrible experience to explore the topic of stalking, maybe doing a documentary series on Netflix. She feels it’s her calling to do something that could help others.’

Holly with former friend Phillip ©Imago

Following the shocking news, Holly confirmed in October 2023 that she was permanently stepping back from This Morning. The move came months after her co-host and former BFF Phillip Schofield, 62, quit the show after his affair with a younger male colleague came to light.

Addressing her career break earlier this year, she revealed that she was ‘grateful’ to have spent her downtime with her three children – Harry, 15, Belle, 12, and Chester, nine, whom she shares with TV producer husband Dan Baldwin, 50.

Since then, Holly’s return to the spotlight has been gradual. Initially appearing back on screens to host Dancing On Ice, Holly went on to present You Bet! with Stephen Mulhern over Christmas. Using 2025 to kickstart her career comeback, the TV star also made her Netflix debut with survival series Bear Hunt – which sees adventurer Bear Grylls, 50, hunt down celebrities in the Costa Rican jungle.

Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby ©Netflix

Now, the insider says hosting Bear Hunt has been a big push for Holly to follow her dreams. They add, ‘Holly learnt some significant things about herself while working with Bear, and she really wants to feel fulfilled. She wants to make programs about mental health – why does someone become a stalker or killer, and how do people with serious issues slip through the gaps? She loved covering the real life and exposé stories on This Morning and wants to focus on difficult subjects. She wants to actively do something about topics that hit home, especially where children and domestic abuse are involved.’

It would certainly prove an image overhaul for the daytime TV queen. Reports of a Netflix true crime documentary come weeks after speculation that Holly was considering stepping back from her Dancing On Ice gig – cutting ties to her past career and opening the door for new projects. A source previously shared, ‘Holly feels like she doesn’t really need Dancing On Ice anymore and has grown away from the show. She loves the crew, but now is the time for her to start doing more things that are out of her comfort zone.’

Holly Willoughby and husband Daniel Baldwin ©Photo by Beretta/Sims/Shutterstock

And while Holly is excited for the future, the source adds that it’s taken some work to get her producer husband Dan on board.

They reveal, ‘Dan isn’t convinced, but he can see how much passion Holly has about doing this. He knows that as much as this would make great TV, it’s also a healing process for Holly. She feels it’ll give her the power to never be a victim again. Holly would like to leave a bit of a legacy behind, knowing that she made change and stood up for what is right.’