She doesn’t often share much from her family life, but Holly Willoughby recently took to Instagram to show fans a highlights video from her ‘epic’ holiday to Florida over the October school holidays.
Telling her 8.1million Instagram followers they’d made ‘the best memories together’, the TV presenter, 44, posted a reel from the freebie to Orlando’s Universal Studios with husband Dan Baldwin, 50, and their children, Harry, 16, Belle, 14, and Chester, 11. Other celeb pals, including Abbey Clancy, Peter Crouch and Denise van Outen, also bagged themselves a space on the press trip. But while the group clearly enjoyed themselves, the holiday wasn’t strictly pleasure for Holly as insiders tell heat she also took the opportunity to meet with US TV execs, as she’s considering her career options in America.
‘When the Orlando trip came up, Dan said it would be the perfect chance to combine family time with business, especially given that some of the TV execs Holly has been speaking to over the last few months were based close by in Miami,’ we’re told. ‘Dan has been acting as her agent, so joined her at the meetings, but he also used the opportunity to explore expanding his own TV production company and branching out into the US market. The meetings went really well and everyone Holly met was incredibly positive about her. They’d all done their research and seen what a huge success she’s been in the UK. They know how well a fresh, talented British TV host could help propel a new show in the US.’
And the meeting couldn’t have come at a better time, as Holly’s career has weathered a turbulent few years, and sources tell us the presenter is sick of the hate she’s been getting in her home country. With her popularity souring in the wake of ‘queue-gate’ – when she and This Morning pal Phillip Schofield cut in line to view the late Queen Elizabeth II lying-in-state in September 2022 – Holly’s friendship with Phil, 63, broke down after his affair with a younger male colleague came to light eight months later. Holly said in a statement, ‘When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. It’s been very hurtful Husband Dan has her back to now find out that this was a lie.’ But fans still questioned whether she had privately been aware of the situation.
Holly carried on presenting the flagship ITV daytime show with a string of stand-in co-hosts, but was forced to step away from her 14-year presenting role in October 2023 after being the target of a terrifying kidnap plot.
On top of that, Dancing On Ice – which she hosted for almost 20 years – was axed by executives this year, and Celebrity Bear Hunt, her Netflix show with Bear Grylls, was not renewed for a second season.
But Holly’s luck in the UK could be about to change, as the BBC are reportedly trying to woo her as the new host of Strictly Come Dancing, following Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s departure. While nothing has been confirmed, producers are allegedly in talks with the seasoned presenter to take on the role, though other names being floated are Davina McCall, Alesha Dixon and Zoë Ball.
At the same time, bosses across the pond are keen to bring Holly on board, and while the insider says the thought of presenting in America is tempting, the mum of three also has her family to consider. Our source tells us, ‘Bosses discussed a number of new shows currently in development that could suit Holly perfectly. If things move forward, she’s likely be filming in Los Angeles for two or three months at a time, which is incredibly exciting. But the prospect of leaving her family for that long is daunting, too. ‘Holly has very mixed emotions, and while she left the meetings with a burst of confidence she hasn’t had in a long time, she also had a heavy heart over the thought of leaving her kids. But Dan’s being incredibly suppoirtive. He’s told her he’ll do whatever it takes to keep things running smoothly at home.’
Another reason Holly is keen to start afresh in the US is that she feels she’s become disliked by fans who previously couldn’t get enough of her. On top of the scandal surrounding Phillip, Holly suffered further negative comments for flying into this summer’s Glastonbury Festival via a £14k helicopter ride, and was slated for being ‘out of touch’ when she was paid to advertise an expensive ‘multi organ MRI scan’ on social media in September.
And the negative stories continued. Holly is currently facing a legal battle over an unpaid tax bill of £377,000 for her company, Roxy Media. Ongoing since April, another adjournment was granted in August, as they sought to take the case to a tax tribunal to avoid liquidation. The appeal’s outcome is set for 12 November.
Even her recent holiday caused uproar online as many urged her to ‘read the room’ after flaunting the free trip. Branding her ‘greedy’, one troll wrote, ‘Showing off when she can afford to pay. So many families cannot do this ever with their kids. Tone deaf as ever, Holly.’ A second said, ‘Another millionaire celeb with her hand out for freebies.’ Others stuck up for Holly amid the criticism, saying all celebrities are offered free opportunities in exchange for promotion. ‘If someone offered us a free holiday, I’d take it and we can afford to pay for one… I’d be grabbing that passport in seconds!’ one loyal fan fired back. But supportive words appeared to be few and far between, and our insider says Holly is looking to escape the negativity.
They say, ‘After all the backlash she received over her free holiday and the influx of criticism, Holly started to realise just how deeply the scars of her damaged reputation have run – and that perhaps a break from the UK is exactly what she needs right now. Back when she was TV’s golden girl, she could do no wrong and her freebie would have been celebrated. The recent barrage of trolling made her feel hopeless and like she just can’t win, and she has admitted that perhaps it’s a sign to bite the bullet and take an opportunity to crack the States.’
Our insider adds, ‘Holly’s come to see that maybe the best thing she can do right now is step back from the UK for a while. She thinks if she gives everyone some space and focuses on a fresh start in America, it might actually help rebuild her career and her confidence. She’s worried that if she doesn’t make a move soon, there might not be a career left to save.
‘She’s feeling anxious, excited, and emotional all at once. This feels like a real turning point – a chance to start over. Holly knows it won’t be easy, but deep down, she believes it’s the right time.’
