Cat Deeley reveals Holly Willoughby’s sweet gesture when she joined This Morning as a host
CAT Deeley has revealed the “touching” gesture from Holly Willoughby as she replaced the ITV star on This Morning.
Former SMTV Live anchor Cat, 47, took on the plum daytime TV role in March – and praised her predecessor’s “classy move” following the transition.
Holly, 43, quit her This Morning presenting role in October 2023.
At the time, she thanked her viewers as she shared an emotional statement revealing she had left the ITV show.
It came after telly favourite Holly was left “distraught” after being the victim of sick kidnap plot.
After a carousel of stand-in hosts, Cat was appointed the permanent host of This Morning alongside Ben Shephard, 49, who left Good Morning Britain viewers devastated when he show-hopped to the later slot.
Cat told The Sunday Times of Holly’s gesture and said: “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.”
In the same chat, she addressed the backlash over her role as the show’s new frontwoman.
Back in December, we reported how Holly “returned” to the show in an unexpected appearance.
Meanwhile, she addressed her This Morning exit in an emotional Instagram post last year.
Holly wrote: “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.I will not be returning to This Morning.
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“Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.
“Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal so supportive and the very best company every day.
“Richard and Judy said ‘we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers’.
“It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go.
“Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much. Holly.”
Back in May, Holly’s co-star Phil had had an affair with a young employee, which later saw him resign from the show – sparking chaos on the ITV daytime series.
Meanwhile, in July, Gavin Plumb was handed three life sentences for the sinister plot to rape and murder Holly after he became obsessed with the TV star.