Holly Willoughby breaks silence on This Morning’s crushing loss and she returns to TV after wild NTAs
HOLLY Willoughby has made her This Morning return after the show was subject to a series of boos – and an epic loss – at The National Television Awards.
The ITV anchor was presenting the show with Craig Doyle, 52, – who replaced Alison Hammond, 48, for Wednesday’s episode.
Holly, 42, looked stunning in a short-sleeve blue patterned dress from Reformation.
She paired the gown with tan sandals and swept her blonde locks into a trendy up-do.
Holly – who exclusively opened up to The Sun about her “difficult year” just hours before – addressed This Morning’s award loss at the swanky event at London’s O2.
This Morning was trounced in the NTAs’ Daytime TV category for the first time in 12 years after facing stiff competition from Loose Women, The Chase, and The Repair Shop.
The BBC workshop programme – The Repair Shop – took home the coveted gong at The 02 in London, with presenter Jay Blades fronting the winner’s speech on Tuesday night.
Fans also spotted an awkward moment Holly jumped in front of Alison to congratulate Jay and on Wednesday’s show, the mum-of-three gave the lowdown.
Opening up on This Morning’s monumental show loss, the anchor said: “Can we say a huge congratulations to Jay Blades and The Repair Shop – well done you!
“Jay Blades got a special squeeze and lots of love to him – he ran over to us, gave us all a big cuddle, which I just thought was class and gorgeous.
“I actually didn’t want to let go – gives good hugs Jay Blades.”
Later on, talking of This Morning’s place on the short list, she added: “It’s a massive thing to make the shortlist and just to make it to there was so wonderful.
“Thank you for all the love and support.”
The event was also a tricky one for Holly after the show was subject to a series of boos from fans filling the south east London venue.
An audience member inside The O2 provided The Sun with footage of the booing, but only cheers could be heard in the ITV broadcast.
Drama has engulfed the programme in recent months, with ITV bosses facing questions in Parliament over alleged “toxic” conditions backstage after the Phillip Schofield scandal.
Earlier this year, Phillip, 61 – Holly‘s longtime best pal and co-star – was axed from the show and ITV more widely after admitting to an affair with a much younger male colleague.