Holly Willoughby has spoken candidly about how the terrifying plot to kidnap, rape and murder her fundamentally changed her outlook on life.
The 45-year-old told told Grazia: “When something like that happens, suddenly everything else gets put into perspective and you know what? I don’t fear what people think because I know what real fear feels like.”
The former This Morning presenter acknowledged there were moments when she doubted whether she would ever step back in front of the cameras.
“I needed to go: ‘Do you know, I need to park all of that,'” she reflected.
Holly Willoughby opened up on the ordeal
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ITVSpeaking to The Sun, she continued: “I’m just going to spend time with my family and my friends and see how I am and see what happens. And then when it feels right I’ll go back.’
“But there was a time when I wasn’t sure whether that would ever be a thing.”
Ms Willoughby reflected on how the ordeal had taught her about her own strength, whilst acknowledging its lasting impact.
She told Grazia: “Everything in life teaches you something and I definitely had a hard lesson to learn.
“I’m not going to sit here and go, ‘I’m so strong now’, because I’m not, but I’m stronger in many ways.”
The presenter described herself as “very resilient” following the experience, insisting it “doesn’t define you.”
She also spoke about how entering her forties with a sense of certainty was swiftly upended.
“I started my forties very much thinking, ‘I’ve worked out life now,’ life really sometimes knows how to just kick you up the ass and go, ‘hang on a minute’,” she said.
Ms Willoughby added that the experience had made her “a bit more empathetic to other people in similar situations.”
Holly Willoughby fronted Dancing On Ice from 2006 to 2011 and then again from 2018 to 2025 | ITV
Gavin Plumb, 39, was convicted of soliciting murder and encouraging or assisting others to rape and kidnap Ms Willoughby, receiving a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years in July 2024.
Ms Willoughby had left This Morning in October 2023 after a 14-year stint on the ITV daytime programme.
Her departure followed months after co-presenter Phillip Schofield’s exit from the show, after he admitted to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague.
She continued as host of Dancing On Ice until March 2025, when the long-running figure skating competition was rested with no confirmed plans for a return.
Holly is now channelling her renewed confidence into a YouTube lifestyle series called Together, which premieres on July 28, with two episodes released each week
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Ms Willoughby had also presented ITV’s revived game show You Bet!, though she had to step down from its second series due to scheduling conflicts.
She is now channelling her renewed confidence into a YouTube lifestyle series called Together, which premieres on July 28, with two episodes released each week.
The show will span five segments — Talk Together, Cook Together, Look Good Together, Better Together and Hang Out Together — covering fashion, beauty, health and practical advice.
Celebrity guests for the initial run include actor Stanley Tucci, comedians Katherine Ryan and Joanne McNally, and pop stars Emma Bunton and Nicole Appleton.
The trailer reveals a looser side to Ms Willoughby, who swears whilst struggling with a sausage maker and jokes: “I feel like I’m on OnlyFans.”
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