Fans of “This Morning” were taken aback on Wednesday when Holly Willoughby made a surprise return to the show for a celebrity interview, albeit in a pre-recorded segment. Willoughby had stepped down from her role as host in October following an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
The unexpected return occurred as “This Morning” aired a festive compilation of clips from the past 12 months, including a segment featuring Willoughby from July. In the clip, she was seated alongside co-host Craig Doyle on the iconic show’s sofa, interviewing Hollywood star Idina Menzel about her iconic role as Elsa in the animated Disney classic “Frozen.
Willoughby’s return comes just two months after her long-term co-host, Phillip Schofield, left the show amid ongoing speculation about his private life.
While the pre-recorded segment delighted many viewers, some tuning in late were momentarily left surprised and confused by her presence, with a flurry of tweets circulating on social media.
One viewer wrote, ‘Viewers just switching on will think Holly’s back.’ Another added, ‘Calm down, guys, it’s a compilation clip. Holly hasn’t returned on “This Morning.”‘
However, it remains uncertain whether Willoughby will officially return to ITV. Her involvement with “Dancing On Ice,” another show she hosts, scheduled to return in January, is yet to be confirmed. Stephen Mulhern, her former co-host on the defunct children’s show “Ministry Of Mayhem,” has been confirmed as Schofield’s replacement on “Dancing On Ice,” but Willoughby’s continued participation is still uncertain.
According to a source, “Holly is spending Christmas with those closest to her. She is not rushing to make a decision and is putting it to the side for now to enjoy the festive period with her children. Holly is expected to make her decision in the new year.”
The alleged kidnap attempt has left Willoughby undecided about hosting “Dancing On Ice” when it returns next month. She has also temporarily paused her contracts with Marks & Spencer and L’Oreal due to safety concerns. Her priority at the moment is her family, and she is taking time away from the limelight to cope with the situation.
Willoughby initially left “This Morning” “for the sake of her family” after discovering she was the target of an alleged kidnap and murder plot. Gavin Plumb, the individual facing charges related to this plot, has pleaded not guilty, and his trial date is set for June 24 next year.
