Holly Willoughby has quit 'This Morning' after 14 years.
Holly Willoughby is leaving This Morning after 14 years on the ITV daytime show
The 42-year-old presenter has decided to step away from the ITV daytime show, and has decided to make the "difficult goodbye" for herself and her family, which includes husband Dan Baldwin and their children, 13-year-old son Harry, 11-year-old daughter Belle and eight year old Chester.
Holly has been absent from the programme since last week, when a man was charged with soliciting to commit murder over an alleged plot to kidnap the TV presenter. She did not reference the incident in her social media post confirming her decision to leave 'This Morning'.
Writing on Instagram, she said: "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.
"Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day."
Holly referenced former presenters, husband and wife duo Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who insisted the show belongs to the viewers rather than the stars who inhabit the sofa.
She added: "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."
It has been a turbulent past few months for Holly and 'This Morning' which was engulfed in a scandal when her former co-host Phillip Schofield quit the show after more than 20 years after admitting he lied to bosses about an affair with a younger male colleague.
Following Holly's statement, ITV's managing director of media and entertainment Kevin Lygo said: "We are sad that Holly is leaving 'This Morning', but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.
"Holly is one of the best loved, respected and most accomplished broadcasters in the UK.
"She has been at the heart of 'This Morning' for the past 14 years, and she is adored by our viewers.
"Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country's most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the programme will miss her enormously.
"She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future."
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