Holly Willoughby is ‘secretly plotting a spectacular TV comeback’ with her producer husband Dan Baldwin after being left without a show for the first time in two decades.

The presenter, 44, was ITV’s Golden Girl for many years and carved out her place as the fan favourite face of its top shows including This Morning and Dancing On Ice.

However, after leaving the daytime hit in 2023 and following the cancellation of Dancing On Ice as well as Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt, she was left without a hosting role in 21 years.

Holly quit This Morning due to the terrifying kidnap and murder plot by obsessed security guard Gavin Plumb which saw her take a break from the spotlight.

Now, it’s been reported Holly is secretly plotting a major comeback to screens with her TV producer Dan Baldwin.

Dan, who owns his production company Hungry Bear Media – the firm behind hit shows such as Gladiators – met Holly through work in 2004.

Holly Willoughby is 'secretly plotting a spectacular TV comeback' with her producer husband Dan Baldwin after being left without a show for the first time in two decades
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Holly Willoughby is ‘secretly plotting a spectacular TV comeback’ with her producer husband Dan Baldwin after being left without a show for the first time in two decades

Dan, who owns his production company Hungry Bear Media - the firm behind hit shows such as Gladiators - met Holly through work in 2004 (pictured in 2016)
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Dan, who owns his production company Hungry Bear Media – the firm behind hit shows such as Gladiators – met Holly through work in 2004 (pictured in 2016)

The couple have three children together – Harry, 16, Belle, 14 and Chester, 10.

Sources close to the pair said how there had been ‘pressure’ on their marriage as Dan continued to flourish professionally during Holly’s break.

The Sun report Holly is looking at primetime for her big return, leaving behind the daytime schedule she previously thrived in for 14 years.

An insider told the publication: ‘She and Dan both know she has what it takes to go solo in a primetime evening slot, and they plan to make her the biggest female presenter in the UK again. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with.

‘Plans are in early stages, but they are quietly sounding out friends from the TV, film and music industry to get them onboard for a potential new primetime show fronted by Holly.’

The mole added that after two decades of fronting television with co-presenters, she is ready to go at it alone.

She is also believed to see herself as the next chat show host, such as a female Jonathan Ross or Graham Norton.

The mum-of-three is also said to have reached out to pals Emma Bunton, Christine Lampard and Fearne Cotton ‘under the radar’ to see if they’d support her solo comeback and for advice.

Holly quit This Morning due to the terrifying kidnap and murder plot by obsessed security guard Gavin Plumb which saw her take a break from the spotlight
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Holly quit This Morning due to the terrifying kidnap and murder plot by obsessed security guard Gavin Plumb which saw her take a break from the spotlight

Holly is looking at primetime for her big return, leaving behind the daytime schedule she previously thrived in for 14 years
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Holly is looking at primetime for her big return, leaving behind the daytime schedule she previously thrived in for 14 years

She is also believed to see herself as the next chat show host, such as a female Jonathan Ross or Graham Norton
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View gallery

She is also believed to see herself as the next chat show host, such as a female Jonathan Ross or Graham Norton

Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Holly for comment.

Last year, Holly co-hosted a one-off special of ITV game show You Bet! with Stephen Mulhern, though stepped away from the format when it was green-lit for a full series.

A source previously told the Mail: ‘You Bet was so popular with the viewers wished it came back for two shows that ITV bosses decided to give it a full run.

‘Holly and Stephen are a great double act and they were both brilliant so they were asked back.

‘But Holly politely declined, she has other commitments and couldn’t make it work.

‘She is in demand and now she isn’t shackled to This Morning four days a week, she is able to look at more options, some are global.

‘Celebrity Bear Hunt was a huge thing for her, her first role with Netflix and she just loved it and they loved her so there could very well be much more where that came from.

The mole added that after two decades of fronting television with co-presenters, Holly is ready to go at it alone
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The mole added that after two decades of fronting television with co-presenters, Holly is ready to go at it alone

‘The world is now Holly’s oyster, there are so many opportunities for her.’

An ITV spokesman added: ‘Unfortunately Holly couldn’t commit to the dates to host the new series of You Bet!, but will hopefully appear as a guest panellist on one of the shows in the new series.’

Holly also runs her own wellness and lifestyle brand, called Wylde Moon.

Her business empire is estimated to be worth £10million and she has also worked with brands including Marks & Spencer, Diet Coke and Oral B.