pals reunited
Holly Willoughby hugs Dermot O’Leary as she makes red carpet comeback for first time after quitting This Morning
The blonde beauty looked on fine form on the red carpet
HOLLY Willoughby gave Dermot O’Leary a warm hug as she made her red carpet comeback at the NTAs tonight.
Presenter Holly, 43, who made a dramatic departure from This Morning last October, returned to the showbiz circuit for first time in nearly a year.
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The blonde beauty looked incredible in a sparkly silver gown while walking the red carpet outside The O2 Arena in London.
Holly planted a kiss on Dermot's cheek as they reunited after some time apart.
During the ceremony, she was greeted with a round of applause while presenting The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award, which I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here won.
Holly left the ITV daytime show after a plot to kidnap, rape, and murder her was revealed.
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Security guard Gavin Plumb, 37, was later jailed for life for the plan.
Holly’s departure from the daytime show after 14 years also followed a rocky few months after co-host Phillip Schofield left.
While Holly has since been back on TV, fronting Dancing On Ice alongside Stephen Mulhern, the NTAs marks a major return to the spotlight for the telly host, who had slashed her workload.
She also got to catch up with Alison Hammond, who is in the running for a gong in the TV Presenter category.
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Host Joel Dommett, who helped out on This Morning over the summer, hailed the show’s new presenting duo.
He said: “Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, they’re so good at it.
“Just watching them work makes me happy. They’re professional and brilliant and wonderful to watch.
This Morning hosts Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson give Holly Willoughby update after her shock exit from show
“There’s certain people like Alison, who is incredible in an entirely different way.
“There’s something that she has that you can’t teach and you can’t bottle it.”
Speaking to The Sun before making their way inside the arena, relief hosts Josie and Craig Doyle shared an update on Holly.
Craig said: "I don't know what your family is like, but we all families have stuff that happens and you all stay together through it because that's what a family is all about.
"And actually that stuff makes you a bit tighter and appreciate each other, it's grand."
Josie added: "We absolutely adore Holly and she's one of the greats, she's one of the greatest broadcasters of all time.
"She makes it look so seamless and she's a gorgeous person and she's amazing, we miss her terribly."
NTAs was no big surprise, says our telly expert
COMMENT BY ROD MCPHEE
THE only surprise at tonight's National Television Awards was that there were virtually no surprises.
Ant and Dec took home Presenter Award for the millionth time, Strictly bagged the Talent Show gong and I'm A Celebrity triumphed in the Entertainment category.
Kate Garraway scooping the authored documentary award for Derek's Story was entirely deserved, but not a total shock either as she'd already done the same two years ago with Caring for Derek.
There were a few curveballs. Emmerdale beating Goliath soaps EastEnders and Corrie was unexpected, particularly as the rivals have both boasted big storylines recently.
And though there was no doubting how hugely moving Mr BatesVs The Post Office was for viewers this year, it was still stunning to see them bag three awards.
Does the general lack of surprises diminish the thrill of the NTAs? Not at all. It remains one of the few awards shows which actually gauges what the majority of Brits are actually watching.
We live in a bewildering world where scandals often rock shows, in an age where streaming means the shared experience is diminished and ratings are hard to decipher.
But year in, year out NTA voters leave us in no doubt which shows they adore, which ones they've fallen out of love with, and which celebrities they're prepared to back.
Look at how quickly relatively new shows like The Traitors, Bridgerton and The 1% Club have been embraced by NTA voters.
They aren't interested in PR stunts and promotion, in highbrow actors and writers lauded by their fellow luvvies and they certainly can't stand having what they ought to be watching dictated to them
They tell us all loud and clear, every year, who they consider to be the best - and woe betide any telly exec who ignores them.
As Craig chimed in with: "It's the easiest day in the studio when you're sitting beside Holly isn't it? She's grown up and we're not."
In October 2023, Holly shared an emotional statement revealing she had sensationally quit her This Morning role.
Posting on her Instagram story, the star wrote: "I have let ITV know that today, 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.
"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."
Following her exit, Craig wrote at the time: "We are so supportive of you and we love you to bits, we just wish it didn’t end this way. Its a sad day for everyone."
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While Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, ITV said: "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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