Holly Willoughby facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Holly Willoughby
Willoughby in 2013
Born	Holly Marie Willoughby (1981-02-10) 10 February 1981 (age 44) Brighton, East Sussex, England
Education	Burgess Hill Girls The College of Richard Collyer
Occupation	Television presenter author model
Years active	2000–present
Employer	ITV BBC
Spouse(s)	Dan Baldwin ​ (m. 2007)​
Children	3

Holly Marie Willoughby (born 10 February 1981) is a famous English television presenter, author, and model. She has hosted many popular TV shows for ITV. Some of her most well-known shows include This Morning (from 2009 to 2023) and Dancing on Ice (from 2006 to 2011, and again from 2018 to 2025).

Holly has also presented other shows like The Xtra Factor (2008–2009) and The Voice UK (2012–2013). She was also a team captain on the comedy show Celebrity Juice for many years, from 2008 to 2020. Besides TV, she works as a brand ambassador for companies like Marks & Spencer and Garnier.

Early Life and Modeling Career

Growing Up in Sussex

Holly Willoughby was born in Brighton, East Sussex, England. She grew up in a place called Woodmancote, West Sussex. Holly went to school at Burgess Hill Girls and then The College of Richard Collyer.

Starting as a Model

When Holly was 14, in 1995, talent scouts noticed her at The Clothes Show Live. She then signed with a modeling agency called Storm Management. She appeared in popular teen magazines like Mizz and Just Seventeen. From 1998, when she was 17, Holly started modeling for clothing brands like Pretty Polly.

Television Career Highlights

Early Days: Children's TV Presenter (2000–2005)

Holly Willoughby started her TV career in 2000. She got a role on a CITV show called S Club TV, which featured the band S Club 7. She also appeared in another S Club 7 show. For a while, Holly worked as a receptionist and then as a runner for a shopping channel.

Later, she worked as an assistant manager. She then made a showreel, which helped her get an agent. In 2002, Holly presented a children's show called Xchange for CBBC. She also hosted other CBBC shows like X-perimental and CBBC at the Fame Academy.

In 2004, Holly returned to CITV to co-present Ministry of Mayhem. This show aired on Saturday mornings. On this show, she met Dan Baldwin, who would later become her husband. In 2006, the show changed its name to Holly & Stephen's Saturday Showdown. This was because Holly and her co-presenter, Stephen Mulhern, were very popular.

In 2005, Holly presented Feel the Fear, a children's show where presenters faced scary challenges. She also filled in as a presenter for CD:UK for a short time. In 2006, Holly won a BAFTA Children's Award for her work in children's television.

Becoming a Mainstream Host (2006–2008)

Willoughby at the premiere of Happy Feet in 2006

In 2006, Holly was chosen to co-host Dancing on Ice with Phillip Schofield. This show features celebrities learning to ice dance. Holly presented the show until 2011. She returned to Dancing on Ice in 2018 and continues to host it.

Holly also presented other ITV shows. These included spin-off shows like Celebrity Wrestling: Bring It On in 2005 and The Xtra Factor in 2008 and 2009. In 2007, she took over as presenter of the dating show Streetmate. She also co-presented Holly & Fearne Go Dating with Fearne Cotton.

From 2008, Holly was a team captain on the comedy panel show Celebrity Juice. She left the show in May 2020 after 12 years.

Hosting This Morning and Other Shows (2009–2023)

Willoughby on the set of This Morning in 2013, a programme she co-presented between 2009 and 2023

Holly Willoughby started co-presenting ITV's This Morning in September 2009. She hosted the show with Phillip Schofield. They presented the show together from Monday to Thursday mornings. Holly left This Morning in October 2023.

In 2011, Holly co-presented the charity telethon Text Santa. She hosted it again in 2012, 2013, and 2015. On 24 March 2012, Holly began presenting The Voice UK with Reggie Yates. She left the show after two series.

In 2012, Holly started hosting a new version of Surprise Surprise. She presented four series of this show. In 2015, Holly also presented Play to the Whistle, a sports-based panel show on ITV.

In 2016, Holly presented a Saturday night dating show called Meet the Parents. In August 2018, it was announced that Holly would host I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. She hosted it with Declan Donnelly while his usual partner was taking a break.

Holly has also written a series of children's books with her sister Kelly. Their first book, School for Stars: First Term at L'Etoile, was a best-seller in 2013. In September 2021, Holly started her own wellness and lifestyle brand called Wylde Moon.

In 2018, Holly and Phillip Schofield made a small appearance on the TV show Coronation Street. On 10 October 2023, Holly announced she was leaving This Morning after more than 14 years. In 2025, Holly presented the Netflix reality competition series Celebrity Bear Hunt, starring Bear Grylls.

Public Reactions to TV Moments

In December 2019, during the general election, some viewers criticized Holly and Phillip Schofield. This was after they interviewed the prime minister and took a selfie with him. Some people felt they were too friendly in that interview.

In September 2022, This Morning offered to pay winners' "energy bills" as a prize. This caused some complaints because people felt it was not appropriate given the serious issue of rising energy costs. The prize was removed a few days later.

Also in September 2022, Holly and Phillip received criticism for how they visited the Queen's lying-in-state. They were there as part of the media, which allowed them to bypass the long public queue. This led to comparisons with other public figures who queued for many hours.

In May 2023, Phillip Schofield left This Morning. Holly said she was "shaken, troubled and let down" because she felt he had not been truthful with her about some personal matters. She returned to the show in June 2023, thanking viewers for their support.

Personal Life

Holly Willoughby has dyslexia, which is a learning difference that affects reading. Her sister, Kelly, also works in television.

On 4 August 2007, Holly married Daniel "Dan" Baldwin. Dan is a TV producer. They live in Barnes, London and have three children: two sons and a daughter. Their first child was born in 2009, their second in 2011, and their third in 2014.

Since 2008, Holly has been a supporter of the charity Together for Short Lives. This charity helps children with life-limiting conditions.

Safety Concerns

In October 2023, a man was arrested in connection with an alleged plot involving Holly Willoughby. She was made aware of the situation and was given protection. The man was charged with serious offenses. The trial began in June 2024. On 4 July 2024, the man was found guilty of some charges. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on 12 July 2024. Holly chose not to attend the court proceedings.

Filmography

Television Appearances

Film Appearances