Holly Willoughby returned to screens after some time away(Image: Instagram @hollywilloughby)
Holly Willoughby recently returned to our screens after taking some time away from the limelight. The Dancing on Ice presenter is feeling positive about the future following a tough few years where she fell victim to a kidnapping plot.
Gavin Plumb, 37, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years in July 2024 after being found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder Holly. The mum-of-three left ITV’s This Morning back in October 2023 after 14 years on the show. Her decision came just months after her co-host Phillip Schofield also quit.
The presenter returned to Dancing On Ice alongside Stephen Mulhern. Fans were happy to see her return to the hit ITV skating show, with the final set to see Sam Aston, Michaela Strachan and Anton Ferdinand take to the rink.
Aside from her ITV comeback, Holly also made a guest appearance on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and is the face of Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls. Speaking to The Mirror last month, Holly said: “All I’ve learned out of life is you never know what’s around the corner. So, I’m like, one day at a time, one step at a time, just like in the jungle.”
Asked if the series represents a fresh start, Holly said: “I think when you do anything new, it feels like that. And it’s nice to try new things and go to new places. I’ve never been to Central America before, so this just felt like the right thing to do at the right time. Sometimes it’s nice to be out of your comfort zone.”
Holly left her TV producer husband, Dan Baldwin, and their children, Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and Chester, 10, at home for three weeks while filming in Costa Rica. She told The Mirror: “My kids are that little bit older now, so it felt like the right time that I could do it, you know, the wheels weren’t going to fall off my life if I left home.”
The family moved outside of London into a new £8 million mansion with the hopes of making Holly feel safer. They reportedly installed state-of-the-art security systems, and have not shared any photographs of the property online since the move.
Holly recently marked a special occasion as she celebrated her 44th birthday in February. The presenter received heartfelt tributes from some of her celebrity pals. Nicole Appleton said: “Happy birthday my precious girl!! I love you to bits!!.” Holly took to the comments and responded: “I love you too … thank you xxxx.”
