Inside Holly Willoughby’s conversation with ITV as she quit This Morning – as bosses reveal it was ‘difficult’ for her
HOLLY Willoughby had a "difficult" conversation with ITV bosses before announcing she was leaving This Morning.
The presenter, 42, took to Instagram last night to confirm she is quitting the show after 14 years.
She is understood to have discussed her intention to leave This Morning with ITV bosses in a phone call.
A source at the broadcaster revealed it was a "pleasant conversation" and ITV were "not left scrambling".
Executives were instead supportive of whatever Holly chose to do, the insider added.
The conversation came after Holly had spent "weeks" secretly considering her future on the show.
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And she decided to go ahead and make the announcement following a tearful discussion with her family over the weekend.
Those close to her said the decision to go was incredibly difficult.
A source added: “There have been a lot of tears over the past few days. Holly spoke with her children and then with her husband Dan and her parents at length.
"She absolutely loves This Morning and has devoted herself to the show. But recent events have changed everything and Holly has to put her family first.
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“Holly personally told This Morning boss Martin Frizell and ITV Daytime’s managing director Emma Gormley. Both conversations were very emotional.
“They obviously wanted her to stay, but said they would completely support her decision.
“ITV have been looking after Holly and have provided a support package to her as well as the offer of counselling if she needs it.”
Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and entertainment at ITV, has since said they will "miss her enormously".
In a statement on Tuesday, he 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.
"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.
Holly said it had been an "honour" to be part of This Morning, adding that the show had "many chapters left to go".
Her statement added: "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. I will not be returning to This Morning.
“Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.
“Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.”
The announcement comes after a turbulent year for Holly in which she has dealt with the breakdown of her friendship with former co-presenter Phillip Schofield and faced criticism over the "Queuegate" scandal.
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It has also fuelled speculation over the findings of the external investigation into the long-running series.
The probe was ordered by ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall after Phil’s departure.
