They recently hung out at a birthday bash, and now heat has been told that a strong friendship is blossoming between Holly Willoughby and Myleene Klass.
The TV stars let their hair down as they joined other celebs, including Emma Bunton, Laura Whitmore, Christine Lampard and Kate Thornton, to celebrate their mutual friend Shiarra Bell’s 50th birthday. In between drinking and enjoying a fancy meal at Ce La Vi in London, insiders tell heat that Holly – who skipped the recent NTAs amid rumours she had quit TV for good following the cancellation of several projects – and Myleene also found time to talk about work. And while many people might not put them together as an on-screen duo, we’re told Holly, 44, is planning to make her comeback alongside the former pop star.
‘Holly’s said that the idea of working with Myleene feels safe, and since they decided to join forces, it’s given her the confidence to think about rebooting her career,’ says a source. ‘It’s been a bruising last few months, and Holly’s been in a very low place. She’s been wondering if the industry has simply moved on from her. She’s said she’s started to question whether she had a future on TV at all.’
The source continues, ‘Myleene’s been an incredible support. She’s been through the wringer herself and knows what it feels like to be dropped and have to claw your way back, and she’s encouraging Holly that she’s not finished. She’s also given Holly a little push by saying, “Let’s take control and do something on our terms.”’
Holly’s no-show at the NTAs was a shock to many, but an insider told heat last week that she didn’t feel part of that world any more and was happy to stay at home. And while the former This Morning presenter has enjoyed her break from the small screen, we’re told she’ll happily return for ‘the right opportunity’, but it would have to be ‘really special’.
Holly – who shares children Harry, 16, Belle, 14, and Chester, 10, with producer husband Dan Baldwin – quit her 14-year role fronting This Morning in October 2023, after she was the subject of a horrific kidnap and murder plot by Gavin Plumb. Her exit came six months after co-host Phillip Schofield, 63, stepped down following his admission of an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a much younger colleague.
Since then, Holly’s career has seemed to flounder – her Netflix show Bear Hunt was shelved after one season. Dancing On Ice – which she had co-fronted for 16 years – was also axed, and it was revealed that she would not return to present the second season of the You Bet! reboot.
Meanwhile, Myleene, 47 – who first found fame in pop band Hear’Say, and was runner up on 2006’s I’m A Celeb before winning the all-stars version in 2023 – has been focusing on radio. She recently made headlines for her bombshell claims about her ex-husband Graham Quinn, after telling Paul C Brunson on his podcast that she caught Graham ‘unzipping’ a mystery female celeb at her birthday party. The allegations sparked a frenzy of speculation and backlash.
Now, we’re told, ‘Their friendship has become a real lifeline. When Myleene’s allegations about Graham came out and the backlash started, Holly was the first person to call her. She told Myleene to ignore the haters. Myleene hasn’t forgotten that, and she’s determined to offer Holly the same support. Shiarra’s birthday party was more than just a girls’ night. They were fizzing with ideas. They want to make something fun but meaningful.’
Our insider continues, ‘There’s a huge amount of industry buzz around them working together already - producers are desperate for female-fronted lifestyle formats, and Holly and Myleene’s chemistry is exactly what execs are looking for. This could be huge.’
The source adds, ‘Having been feeling so let down by ITV, Holly’s excited by the idea of showing she doesn’t need them to have a hit. This is about reclaiming her career – on her terms.’