Cat Deeley has opened up for the first time about the way Holly Willoughby welcomed her to This Morning behind the scenes, after she replaced her on the ITV daytime show after months of chaos
Cat Deeley has heaped praised on Holly Willoughby as she revealed the secret ways she’s supported her in taking over as a lead presenter on This Morning.
Willoughby, 43, departed the ITV morning programme last year, saying she was having to make the decision for herself and her family.
It also came amid allegations of a plot to kidnap, rape and murder her emerged. Security guard Gavin Plumb was later jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.
Deeley, who along with Willoughby was a presenter for a spell on children’s music chart show CD:UK, became co-host of This Morning with former Good Morning Britain star Ben Shephard earlier this year.
Recalling Willoughby’s support, the 47-year-old told the Sunday Times: “Holly sent me a beautiful bunch of flowers and a handwritten card. It was a really classy move, it really touched me.”
“At some stage, once the dust settles, I’m sure we will get together. People always talk about women being pitted against other women, but actually it’s just not true.”
She also spoke about the increased scrutiny from viewers since joining the ITV chat show.
Deeley agreed the response has “shocked her” and added: “Everyone keeps checking in with me, ‘Are you OK? Are you handling this all right?’”
“I don’t care. I do not care. If it gets too much for me I’m going to quit. I don’t need to do it. I could stop and be a mum for most of the year, and then go and do the shows in America.”
“There is no ulterior motive for me doing this,” she added.
Deeley, who has two children with Northern Irish comedian and The Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty, has hosted US talent show So You Think You Can Dance for most of its 18 seasons.
She says she did not have the same reception in the US and called increased focus on her a “very British thing”.
Deeley added it is “clickbait” and “really nothing more than that”, while also suggesting the social media complaints are from “some nameless, faceless person at the end of a keyboard?”
“It doesn’t even touch the sides,” she added.
Willoughby, who used to co-host This Morning with Phillip Schofield before he left ITV over an “unwise, but not illegal” affair, will host a new Netflix show in which adventurer Bear Grylls hunts down celebrities in the jungle.
She is also set to host ITV gameshow You Bet! with Stephen Mulhern.
Mulhern replaced Schofield to present Dancing On Ice on ITV with Willoughby.
Cat Deeley has not only found support from Holly Willoughby but also from her fans as she takes on her new role as lead presenter on This Morning.
The outpouring of love and encouragement from viewers has been overwhelming for the 47-year-old, who admitted that the increased scrutiny has been a bit of a shock.
Despite the added pressure, Deeley remains focused on her work and her family. With two children with her husband Patrick Kielty, the TV presenter is grateful for the opportunity to continue her career while also being able to prioritize her role as a mother.
The comparisons to Willoughby and the attention from social media have not deterred Deeley from her path. She is determined to stay true to herself and her values, regardless of the noise surrounding her.
The support from fellow women in the industry, like Willoughby, serves as a reminder that solidarity and empowerment among women are essential in navigating the challenges of the entertainment world.
Deeley’s resilience and determination shine through in her words as she brushes off the negativity and stays focused on what truly matters to her.
As she continues to carve out her own path in the industry, she is a shining example of grace under pressure and a role model for aspiring women in media.
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