Holly Willoughby quits ITV’s This Morning ‘for me and my family’
Holly Willoughby has told ITV she will not return This Morning – quitting the daytime show after 14 years.
In a post on Instagram, she said: “I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
“To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.”
Holly Willoughby arrives for the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in September
She added: “Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.
“Richard and Judy said ‘we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers’.
“It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
“I will miss you all so much.”
This Morning co-host Alison Hammond replied on Instagram: “This is a very sad day! Love you.”
Dermot O’Leary, who also presents the show, wrote: “Nothing but love and respect for you and yours.”
Vanessa Feltz added: “We will miss you so very much my darling.”
Willoughby, 42, has been absent from This Morning since last Thursday after a 36-year-old man was charged with an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the presenter.
Read her statement in full – and what ITV said
An ITV boss said the broadcaster is looking forward to working with Willoughby “in the future” following the news she is quitting This Morning.
In a statement, Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and entertainment at ITV, said: “We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.
“Holly is one of the best loved, respected and most accomplished broadcasters in the UK.
“She has been at the heart of This Morning for the past 14 years, and she is adored by our viewers.”
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Holly Willoughby quits This Morning
He added: “Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country’s most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the programme will miss her enormously.
“She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.”
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Willoughby joined the show in 2009 and presented alongside Phillip Schofield until he quit in May this year after he admitted to a relationship with a junior colleague on the show.
An external review of the facts after Schofield’s departure is currently under way and ITV bosses have said both Schofield and his former lover “repeatedly denied” allegations of a relationship until the star quit ITV and formally apologised.
She also presents Dancing on Ice for ITV
A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
The 65-year-old has been lead singer of the Norwegian band since it was founded in 1982 – and sung the track “Take On Me” which remains one of the most popular songs of the 1980s.
In a statement on the band’s website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket said he had undergone
several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease.
Parkinson’s causes deterioration in the brain’s nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become
progressively worse over time.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure.
Harket said he underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain last year and that this had reduced the symptoms.
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Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again.
“I’ve got no problem accepting the diagnosis,” he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing
side effects of the treatment.
“I’m trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline,” Harket said.
Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album “Hunting High and Low” featuring “Take On Me” and the hit “The Sun Always Shines on TV”.
Singer Jessie J has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer”.
The Price Tag singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said in a video posted to Instagram that she has recently spent a lot of time “in and out of tests”.
She said she will “disappear for a bit” after performing at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball later this month to have surgery.
“I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” the 37-year-old said during the video.
“Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word ‘early’.
“It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”
Jessie J at the BAFTA awards earlier this year. Pic: PA
‘I need a hug’
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK.
The singer said sharing her diagnosis publicly has helped her process the news and show solidarity with others going through a similar experience.
“I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said.
“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.
“I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book.
“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”
She continued: “The timing of it has been mad but also beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time.
“But honestly I need to process it and talk about it and, I need a hug. You have loved me through all my good and hard times. And I don’t want this to be any different.”
‘I’m here for you’
Messages of support from celebrities flooded the comments section under the singer’s post.
Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock wrote: “Sending you so much love.”
Fellow singer Rita Ora said: “You’re literally my favourite person and I’m praying for you, you’ve got this. My mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough, so I’m here for you.”
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London-born singer Jessie J welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having miscarried in November 2021.
She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.
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‘Each day is brighter and better’: Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday
The Duchess of Sussex has posted pictures of her daughter Lilibet in a touching message on her fourth birthday.
Meghan wrote on Instagram: “Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!
“Four years ago today, she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!”
Meghan also posted a picture of her holding Lilibet as a newborn
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Alongside the birthday wishes, Meghan posted two pictures of her with her daughter.
In one, the pair sport windswept hair with water behind them, while in the other, the Duchess holds her daughter – named after the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet – as a newborn.
Last month, Meghan spoke about the challenges of balancing being an entrepreneur and a mother.
Alongside Prince Harry, the duchess stepped back from her duties as a senior working royal in 2020 – before starting a new life in the US.
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