Holly Willoughby’s television career has hit another snag with the cancellation of You Bet! On Tour, marking the end of her most recent onscreen project. The news comes over two years after her departure from This Morning and signals a period of professional uncertainty for the 45-year-old presenter.
The ITV show, a reboot of the 1990s game show, will not be returning for a new series, an ITV spokesperson confirmed to Metro. While You Bet! initially drew a peak overnight audience of 4.4 million viewers in 2024, the network has opted not to renew the show, leaving Willoughby without any current television commitments.
This latest setback follows a turbulent period for the presenter. Her 14-year run on This Morning concluded in October 2023, and her co-hosting role on Dancing on Ice, a position she held for almost two decades, has likewise come to an end. A venture into the streaming world with Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt, featuring Bear Grylls, also failed to secure a second season, reportedly due to internal changes at the streaming giant, as Grylls explained at the time.
Turbulent Times for the TV Personality
Although Willoughby had a limited role as a celebrity guessing panelist on the latest season of You Bet! On Tour due to other commitments, there was hope for a more substantial return if the show was renewed. An insider told The Sun that the cancellation is “another disappointment” for Willoughby, particularly as it was her first major project with ITV following her exit from This Morning. The source added that, combined with the lack of success of Dancing on Ice and Celebrity Bear Hunt, the situation “isn’t a great appear” for the presenter, who has long been considered a mainstay of British television.
While co-star Stephen Mulhern continues to host several shows, including Catchphrase, Deal or No Deal, and Accidental Tourist, Willoughby’s schedule is currently open. Speculation has mounted regarding her next move, with her name being mentioned in connection with potential hosting roles on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, alongside Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Given her extensive experience hosting Dancing on Ice, a move to the BBC would be a natural progression.
A Focus on Family and a Potential Primetime Return
The recent string of professional challenges comes after a difficult personal period for Willoughby. She took time away from the spotlight following the uncovering of a terrifying plot to kidnap and murder her. Gavin Plumb, 36, was ultimately arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years, as reported by multiple news outlets.
Prior to the cancellation of You Bet! On Tour, reports in September suggested Willoughby was planning a “primetime TV comeback,” aiming to establish herself as a solo presenter. According to a source who spoke with The Sun, Willoughby and her husband, television producer Dan Baldwin, believed she had the potential to become “the biggest female presenter in the UK.”
You Bet! and You Bet! On Tour are currently available to stream on ITVX.
As Willoughby navigates this period of change, the future of her television career remains uncertain. However, her experience and established presence in the industry suggest she will likely explore new opportunities and potentially return to screens in a new capacity.
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