Six months after stepping down from This Morning, Holly Willoughby is making an effort to overhaul her career in a TV switch-up as she takes on a new role with Netflix, with the support of her producer husband Dan Baldwin via their new "marriage pact".
Dan, who has produced shows such as BBC's Gladiators, has recently hinted at rebooting the classic dating show Blind Date and suggested Claudia Winkleman as a potential host, rather than his wife. This overlook is a deliberate bid to show that Holly, 42, is “distancing” herself from the jobs she is used to and to "show a different side to her", a source has shared.
“When Holly’s husband Dan admitted that he wants to do a Blind Date remake everyone thought it would be Holly fronting the show. But the fact that he has eyed up Claudia Winkleman for it just goes to show that Holly is really trying to distance herself from the TV she’s been associated with for so long,” they said.
Discussing the potential release, Dan, 49, who produced the rebooted Gladiators this year, recently said: “As well as coming up with new ideas we've always got one eye on what could come back and what could be a hit like Gladiators is.
“Another one that you'd like to see back, Blind Date, are we ready for that? What a Saturday night that was. I'm thinking Blind Date with Claudia Winkleman on BBC One, how about it?"
His comments appear to show that Dan and Holly are both making a conscious effort to show the latter’s career change, although she’d be a good fit for the role.
The source claimed: “In the past, she would’ve jumped at the chance to do an iconic programme like that. Dan knows she would be perfect, but they have decided that she needs to take a step away from the mainstream shows for a bit and concentrate on her re-brand overhaul. It's their marriage pact."
Putting plans into action already for her fresh start, Holly is set to host the new Netflix show, Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls. The reality show, which tasks celebrities to escape being ‘hunted’ in the Central American jungle, is a far cry from Holly’s usual daytime TV image.
Moving away from British broadcasters and to the international platform of Netflix also opens Holly’s scope up worldwide, the source claims.
“2024 is all about showing off a different side to her and attracting a bigger worldwide fanbase, rather than just the UK. Her new Netflix show with Bear Grylls has proven her ambition and the confidence she has to make it as a worldwide star,” they explained.
Holly and Dan have been married 17 years and share three children; Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and Chester, eight.
The mother-of-three stepped down from This Morning in October after 14 years at the helm, sharing that she needed to ‘take time’ to be with her family. The news came just days after reports of an alleged kidnap plot against her emerged.
Holly’s departure also came five months following her long-time co-host Phillip Schofield ’s exit from the show. Upon departing, he admitted to an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with one of the show’s younger male runners, while rumours of a feud between him and Holly were brewing.
While she did return to the small screen earlier this year to host Dancing On Ice, the source claims that leaving This Morning was a “rock bottom” moment, with Holly keen to stay away from that kind of pressure again.
Not only is Holly working on breaking into new TV roles, but she also has her lifestyle wellness brand, Wylde Moon. The brand has a blog and newsletter which covers topics such as fashion and sex, alongside specialist posts on crystals and tips on ‘reconnecting with yourself’. While the website also sells products such as perfumes and candles.
Explaining that Holly is hoping to be “taken more seriously” when it comes to wellness, the source concluded: “She also wants to concentrate on Wylde Moon and becoming known as a wellness expert and helping women in their various stages of life.
“She feels people will take her more seriously if she’s not associated with TV show after TV show and that she’s serious about it.”
Story Saved
You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.
