Holly Willoughby is reportedly “in no rush” to get back to work in time for the new series of Dancing On Ice in January.
The TV presenter, 42, suddenly quit her job last week after 14 years when an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her was revealed.
In a statement, the beloved star said she was stepping down ‘for my family’, leaving her future TV career and association with ITV in question.
But a source has now revealed Sun that the broadcaster has put ‘zero pressure’ on Holly to return to host DOI and they support her leaving ‘as long as she needs to.’
“Everyone around her – family, friends and her team – agreed that a really decent break from work would give her power.”
Making it easy: Holly Willoughby, 42, is reportedly in no rush to get back to work in time for the new series of Dancing On Ice in January (pictured on show in February)
Exit: The TV presenter suddenly quit her job last week after 14 years as an alleged plot to kidnap and kill her was revealed (pictured with former co-host Philip Schofield in May)
“ITV assured her there was no pressure to be ready for Dancing on Ice even though she is still a much-loved part of the family.
Before I go on to say, “After all, the skate show starts in December with filming and promotions, and no one wants to put unrealistic expectations on Holly’s shoulders and make her feel like she needs to rush back, especially since no one knows how and when the court case will continue”.
MailOnline has contacted Holly’s representatives for comment.
The editor of This Morning learned that Holly was leaving the show just 20 minutes before she announced her exit on Instagram.
Martin Frizzell was left stunned by his star presenter’s shock announcement – which left some of the staff at the ITV show breaking down in tears.
According to the Mail on Sunday, Holly has spoken out to ITV’s head of daytime production Emma Gormley, both over the alleged plot against her and her future on the show.
In fact, despite Martin pinning his colors to Holly’s masthead during her row with Philip Schofield – his long-term friend – the TV veteran found out she was leaving the show just 20 minutes before Holly’s 8.5 million Instagram followers did.
Former GMTV editor Martin received an unexpected phone call just before 5pm on Tuesday telling him his biggest asset was to stand down.
Shock: This Morning editor found out Holly was leaving the show just 20 minutes before she announced her exit on Instagram
Surprise: Martin Frizzell (left) was left blindsided by his star host’s shock announcement – which left some staff at the ITV show breaking down in tears (pictured with Holly and Philip Schofield)
He also learned that she had prepared an emotional statement in which she was preparing to reveal that she was leaving the show for herself and her family following an alleged and highly publicized kidnapping plot.
Her words, which were composed entirely without the help of her former ‘rock’ Frizzell, read: ‘This is such a hard goodbye, you are amazing and I will forever be proud of what we have done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for your support.
“To every guest who sat on our sofa, thank you.” Most of all thanks to the wonderful viewers. You were so loyal, so supportive and the best company every day.
“It was an honor just to be a part of his story and I know there are many more chapters to this story.” Unfortunately, however, I now feel that I have to make this decision for myself and my family. I will miss you all very much.’
Martin – usually unfazed by the words of his colleagues – was stunned. He was convinced that Holly would be staying with this morning for the foreseeable future.
Indeed, she has only just signed a new contract, which will see her annual salary rise from £700,000 to around £1m.
End of an era: Former GMTV editor Frizzell received an unexpected phone call just before 5pm on Tuesday telling him his biggest asset was to stand down
Resignation: The host confirmed on Instagram that she ‘will not be returning’ to the show
For Frizzell, it was perhaps the worst possible way to part ways with Holly, the former golden girl of television.
Yet all his devoted attention seemed to count for nothing. “Despite Martin’s loyalty to Holly, he wasn’t in her inner sanctum when it really mattered,” says a source close to the situation. “He stood by her through all the difficulties with Phil, and besides, it’s his show, but instead Holly was all about Emma.”
“Martin always spoke so highly of Holly. He adored her and was extremely loyal.
“ITV is saying he was told so late. It doesn’t seem overly respectful. What a way to treat an editor.’
Meanwhile, Holly’s announcement also caused tears behind the scenes of the show.
However, it wasn’t Holly’s departure that caused the upset, it was the fact that it was the last drama to happen on the set of the daytime show.
“It was one thing after another,” the source said. “It’s like a soap opera and that’s fine if you’re one of the high-paid stars who commute, but if you’re grafting behind the scenes to keep things afloat, it’s incredibly frustrating.”
“Holly decides to go, she posts it on Instagram. Imagine how that makes you feel. There were tears. The team has been through so much in the last year. Many feel that they are at the end of their relationships. It was heartbreaking and difficult to watch it all happen.’
That word “all” refers to the seemingly endless controversies that have engulfed This Morning over the past year: last year Holly and her former co-star Philip Schofield were accused of skipping the queue to see the late Queen lie in state in Westminster Hall, then argued over how to respond to the accusation.
Then Philip admitted he had an affair with a much younger runner who worked on the show – and lied about it.
Staff have also withstood pressure to be questioned by external barrister Jane Mulcahy KC about the programme’s alleged toxic work culture.