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Holly Willoughby has told ITV she will not return to This Morning – quitting the daytime show after 14 years.
In a post on Instagram, she said: “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 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.”
Holly Willoughby arrives for the National Television Awards at the O2 Arena in September
She added: “Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.
“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 feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
“I will miss you all so much.”
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This Morning co-host Alison Hammond replied on Instagram: “This is a very sad day! Love you.”
Dermot O’Leary, who also presents the show, wrote: “Nothing but love and respect for you and yours.”
Vanessa Feltz added: “We will miss you so very much my darling.”
Willoughby, 42, has been absent from This Morning since last Thursday after a 36-year-old man was charged with an alleged plot to kidnap and murder the presenter.
Read her statement in full – and what ITV said
An ITV boss said the broadcaster is looking forward to working with Willoughby “in the future” following the news she is quitting This Morning.
In a statement, Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and entertainment at ITV, said: “We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.
“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.”
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Holly Willoughby quits This Morning
He added: “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.”
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Willoughby joined the show in 2009 and presented alongside Phillip Schofield until he quit in May this year after he admitted to a relationship with a junior colleague on the show.
An external review of the facts after Schofield’s departure is currently under way and ITV bosses have said both Schofield and his former lover “repeatedly denied” allegations of a relationship until the star quit ITV and formally apologised.
She also presents Dancing on Ice for ITV
