Holly Willoughby is apparently more popular than ever after quitting ITV’s This Morning – as her Instagram following has soared by almost 40,000 people.
The 42 year old presenter announced on Tuesday, 10 October, that she was leaving the popular daytime show. Her decision to quit came after a year from hell for Holly, who was blasted by the public for reportedly skipping the queue to see the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state in September last year and then earlier this year became embroiled in a rumoured feud with This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield before he left the show and admitted to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a much younger colleague.
But her Instagram following still rose by 38,970 in the last month, according to new data. Meanwhile, This Morning’s page was said to have lost more than 200 followers since her announcement on 10 October.
And according to the research carried out by NoDeposit.Guide, online searches for Holly also rose by 651% after she announced her resignation after 14 years on the show.
At the time of writing, Holly had an 8.5million following on Instagram while This Morning has 2.6million. Holly, who had been on 'indefinite leave' from This Morning after an alleged 'kidnap plot' came to light, said in her statement on Tuesday: “I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning. To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much.
“This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together.
"Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you."
She added: “Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day… I will miss you all so much.”
Holly had reportedly signed a new lucrative contract with This Morning over summer as she aimed to put the show back on track after it was left reeling from Phillip’s affair scandal. Her decision to leave has reportedly plunged the show into a fresh crisis.
Meanwhile, staff at This Morning were said to have been left upset as they were unable to give Holly a 'proper send-off' despite working alongside her for over a decade. An insider told OK!: "The staff really didn’t see Holly's exit coming. It’s such a huge shame she didn’t get the big send-off she deserved after 14 years on the sofa, but I’m sure they will all celebrate her time on the show privately."
They added: "They all understand this decision must have been so difficult to make, but is the right one if it means it keeps her and her family safe and happy.
"The team will miss her so much. Holly is so professional and great at her job, but she is also hilarious."
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