Holly Willoughby has announced her departure from This Morning after 14 years on the show.
The ITV presenter, 42, announced her decision in an Instagram message on Tuesday (October 10), calling it a ‘sad farewell.’
Her resignation follows a tumultuous year in which a 36-year-old man was held in jail last week on suspicion of plotting to kidnap and murder her and her long-time host Phillip Schofield resigned after confessing to lying about having an affair with a runner.
The statement read: ‘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 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.
‘Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the best company every day.
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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 I feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
She concluded the post: ‘I will miss you all so much.’
In a statement, ITV head Kevin Lygo said the network was’sad’ about Holly’s departure but’respect’ her choice.
He continued: ‘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.
‘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.’
The Wylde Moon founder’s exit comes after she was reportedly yanked from her This Morning presenting responsibilities just seconds before the show was slated to begin last Thursday due to an alleged kidnapping plot.
Gavin Plumb, 36, was arrested and accused last Wednesday with solicitation to commit murder and instigation to commit kidnapping of the ITV broadcaster.
Plumb, who was born in Harlow, Essex, was apparently unknown to the TV star.
On Friday, a court heard how he hired a hitman in the United States to murder her and kept firearms in his house.
Holly was said to be ‘in bits’ after Plumb’s arrest, feeling’shaken,’ ‘petrified,’ and ‘unable to take in’ what had occurred, according to people close to her, with her London house apparently being monitored by police.
Holly’s longstanding This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield resigned earlier this year after confessing to lying about an affair with a runner, which she said left her feeling ‘fallen down.’
The duo are thought to have not talked since the 61-year-old left ITV, yet he is said to have recently sought out over the suspected kidnap plan.
Holly was claimed to be ‘in bits’ following Plumb’s arrest, feeling’shaken,’ ‘petrified,’ and ‘unable to take in’ what had happened, according to individuals close to her, and her London home was supposedly being monitored by police.
Holly has a lengthy history Phillip Schofield, co-host of This Morning, quit earlier this year after admitting to lying about an affair with a runner, which she said left her feeling ‘fallen down.’
The pair are claimed to have not spoken since the 61-year-old quit ITV, but he is said to have recently sought out about the alleged kidnapping plot.
