Holly Willoughby has made her first appearance since leaving This Morning last month – appearing in Save The Children’s Christmas jumper campaign.
The presenter, 42, got into the festive spirit in a Christmas jumper decorated with baubles and tinsel.
She was as bright and cheery as ever as she sported a Santa hat and reindeer antlers for the charitable cause, putting on a brave face despite the terrifying circumstances she has faced over the past few months.
Holly, who originally joined the This Morning team in 2009, left the show ‘for the sake of her family’ after discovering she was the target of a foiled kidnap and murder plot.
It came five months after Philip Schofield’s departure after his affair with a young male showrunner was made public, followed by claims of an increasingly strained relationship with his co-host.
Holly has been joined by the likes of GMB’s Kate Garraway and ex Love Island host Laura Whitmore for the campaign, which has raised over £35million to transform the lives of children around the world since launching in 2012.
The TV and radio stars all wore second-hand jumpers for the fundraising project.
Holly said: ‘Christmas Jumper Day is a really fabulous way of raising lots of money for Save the Children and it’s so easy to get involved!
‘Simply put on your favourite Christmas jumper on 7th December and donate £2.
‘You don’t even need a new jumper to take part, you can dig out an old knit that you’ve had for years or go to a charity shop and find a cool vintage one.’
Kate Garraway looked festive as she was draped in tinsel with a Christmas tree hat, while newlyweds Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo wore a two-person ‘naughty and nice’ sweater.
Other stars supporting the festive day include Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, Martin and Shirlie Kemp, Katie Piper and Arlene Phillips.
Laura Whitmore said: ‘Most of us have a festive jumper somewhere in our wardrobe, and if not, why not borrow one from a friend? I’m always letting friends borrow my clothes, and they let me borrow theirs in return.
‘I have a lot of things in my wardrobe that are there for life. Although it’s nice to follow trends, I think it’s really important to have those staple pieces that will last a lifetime – mine is definitely my go-to leather jacket.
‘I also get quite nostalgic with clothes: I remember what I wore on my first date with my husband or what I wore when I auditioned for MTV – and my Christmas jumper always reminds me of all the festive fun I’ve had with friends and family over the years! There’s a story in every piece of clothing I own.’
Holly was pulled from presenting the ITV show in October just moments before going on air after police informed bosses about the alleged plot.
Just hours previously, she shared a candid post on her blog Wylde Moon about coping with anxiety.
The post, shared on her Wylde Moon account, said: ‘If you or someone you love suffers with anxiety, you know how difficult it can be to cope with. You are not alone,’ followed by a link to tips and advice from Louise Chunn, founder of WellDoing.org.
Holly lives at her London home with her husband Daniel Baldwin, 49, and their three children – Harry, 14, Belle, 12 and Chester, eight. She remained at her home under police guard after news of the plot emerged.
To take part in Christmas Jumper Day for 2023, throw on your favourite sustainable sweater on Thursday December 7, and donate £2 (or £1 for kids) to Save the Children.
All funds raised will help some of the most disadvantaged children across the world, including the UK, get access to food, healthcare and education.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
