Holly Willoughby: ‘It wasn’t about how many children she had’

HOLLY Willoughby was praised by This Morning viewers after grilling a broody single mum of twelve on yesterday's show - but don't expect to see her fronting a stand alone news show anytime soon.

At last night's Glamour Awards, the 35-year-old spoke to The Sun online about meeting shameless Cheryl Prudham, who just hours earlier she had challenged over her benefits-funded lifestyle.

People watching at home were impressed with how Holly had asked her how she can justify raking in £40,000-a-year in benefits when she knows full well it means other less fortunate people will be going without.

But despite her potential to front a serious news programme, it's not one of Holly's ambitions - and her impressive interrogation stemmed from wanting to understand, rather than judge.

She said: "I don't ever want to do a serious news show - I don't aspire to be the new Paxman.

"When I interviewed her [Cheryl Pruman] it wasn't about how many children she has.

"I just wanted to understand how she feels as a person."

This Morning viewers were sickened at 33-year-old Cheryl's attitude towards parenting when she appeared on the programme.

As the segment began, Philip Schofield introduced her to viewers, and informed them that she was on the hunt for a sperm donor to give her child number thirteen.

“One of her motivations is that an extra baby means extra benefits,” said Phil, sagely.

The silver-haired daytime favourite last met Cheryl, who lives in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, six years ago when she was pregnant with her seventh child.

After hearing how the 33-year-old used her annual benefits pot to treat herself to a Mulberry handbag “for Mother’s Day”, Holly let rip.

She fumed: “There’s lot of hard working people out there, times are very tight.

“People are very very stretched, they’re trying to make it work.

“Lots of people would like a second or third child but can’t afford it.

“Do you think it’s fair you’re in this situation now, having a thirteenth child?”

Cheryl shrugged: “I don’t make up the rules at the end of the day and I’m not the government.

“If that’s what they’re giving me that’s what I’m taking.

“I’ve got nothing to be sorry for.”

Holly became even angrier as she told Cheryl she would struggle to sleep at night knowing £40,000 of taxpayers’ money was being spent on her and her children rather than giving vulnerable people, like teenage carers and the disabled essential support.

Cheryl shrugged: “I can see why people who work fifty hours a week get annoyed, but I don’t make the rules.

“When I look at my kids I see twelve future taxpayers.”

Holly explained her passionate display to The Sun: "You get more involved with some discussions rather than others."

She also praised Sue and Noel Radford, who were previously on the show.

The couple have a staggering SEVENTEEN children, but don't take a penny in hand outs from the State.

Recently Holly was praised for how she tackled a segment on abortion, and wept as she spoke to the parents of an autistic child.

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