Holly Willoughby reveals she is ‘heartbroken’ after older sister Kelly confirms their uncle Ray’s death: ‘We will miss you so much’

Holly Willoughby reveals she is ‘heartbroken’ after older sister Kelly confirms their uncle Ray’s death: ‘We will miss you so much’

Holly Willoughby and her sister Kelly have paid tribute to their uncle Ray after confirming his death on Sunday.

The This Morning presenter’s older sister shared a touching tribute to Ray with Instagram followers, along with some fond childhood memories.

She wrote, “Sleep deep, Uncle Ray. It hurts us to have to say goodbye so quickly. Thanks for all the love and laughter.

‘The children will forever remember you turning up, taking off your hat and happily watching packets of Haribo fall to the floor. We will miss you so much.’

Holly, 42, commented on the post with a broken heart emoji.

Sad news: Holly Willoughby and her sister Kelly have paid tribute to their uncle Ray after confirming his death on Sunday

1696220879 441 Holly Willoughby reveals she is heartbroken after older sister Kelly

Farewell: The This Morning presenter's older sister shared a touching tribute to Ray with Instagram followers, along with some fond memories of their childhood in Brighton

Farewell: The This Morning presenter’s older sister shared a touching tribute to Ray with Instagram followers, along with some fond memories of their childhood in Brighton

A host of family friends also reacted to the news, with All Saints star Nicole Appleton writing: “I’m sorry darling sending love.”

Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite – whose mother is the sister of Holly’s mother-in-law – added: ‘Sorry Kelly. Sending you all love and light.’

Elsewhere, This Morning chef Clodagh McKenna wrote: ‘Sending so much love to all your family. May he rest in peace.’

The post follows claims that Holly was told to go braless on a children’s show by male executives in the early stages of her career.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the This Morning presenter was told it would make her ‘more attractive’ to male viewers.

A close associate of the star says he raised his concerns at the time with a senior staff member working behind the scenes on one of the shows.

“Before I knew who Holly was, I saw her without a bra and asked a director who she was and why she was dressed like that,” the friend said.

‘I told her to put on a bra, it was children’s TV. I reminded Holly some time later and she told her not to wear a bra, that the shows weren’t actually for kids.

Side by side: Holly shares a close relationship with her older sister Kelly (pictured)

Side by side: Holly shares a close relationship with her older sister Kelly (pictured)

Controversy: The post follows claims that Holly was told to go braless on a children's show by male executives in the early stages of her career

Controversy: The post follows claims that Holly was told to go braless on a children’s show by male executives in the early stages of her career

“It was quite upsetting that this happened.”

Another friend added: ‘It’s quite terrible, it doesn’t even seem that long ago. And what’s worse is that Holly probably wasn’t the only one.’

During her time on ITV Saturday morning show Ministry Of Mayhem from 2004 to 2006, Holly was donned in several risqué outfits for the cameras.

She was dressed as a maid and wore a black short skirt and a matching top; as well as a skimpy, festive Mrs. Christmas outfit. She also appeared in low-cut tops and got drenched in water or gunk while appearing on the programme.

A television insider told this newspaper: ‘It was the way it was back then, young women were told what to wear and they didn’t say no.

‘Like many other industries, television was mainly run by men and hired young, quite ambitious women to do what they were told. It was downright misogynistic.’