Susanna Reid has shared her thoughts on Holly Willoughby deciding to step down from This Morning.
The Good Morning Britain host, 53, spoke about Holly’s ‘challenging’ time when she quit This Morning after learning of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
Susanna said she believed Holly would still return to television in comments made before it was officially confirmed Holly will be returning to present Dancing On Ice.
Speaking to woman&home for its February issue, Susanna said: ‘Holly [Willoughby] has made her decision, and who can blame her? It was a very challenging thing to have to handle and deal with.
‘I used to see her very occasionally, as even though they’re in the studio next door, they’re on at a different time. Over the past year, the times I’ve seen her she’s been her typical, normal, smiling, bright, happy, strong self.
Susanna Reid has shared her thoughts on Holly Willoughby deciding to step down from This Morning
Susanna’s candid comments came as she spoke to woman&home for its upcoming February issue
Susanna said she believed Holly would still return to television in comments made before it was confirmed that Holly will be returning to present Dancing On Ice
‘She’s an exceptional, clever, funny, brilliant presenter and I don’t get the impression that she’s not coming back to telly. She’s a big presence and she’ll be back.’
MailOnline has since exclusively revealed that Holly will be returning to screens to host Dancing On Ice alongside Stephen Mulhern.
The series kicks off on January 14, almost three months after she learned of the alleged plot to kidnap and murder her.
Gavin Plumb, 36, has pleaded not guilty to charges of soliciting murder and incitement to commit kidnap Holly. The security guard will remain behind bars after being denied bail.
During a short hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, who was not present, was refused a bail application. He has a trial date fixed for June 24 next year.
Susanna also spoke about the rotation of presenters who have been fronting This Morning after Holly’s exit and Phillip Schofield being fired by ITV after he admitted to lying about a romantic relationship he had with a former younger colleague.
Of the show, Susanna said: ‘Whoever takes over at This Morning will have a brilliant time. It’s a total legend of a programme and I sit alongside Richard Madeley, who launched the show in 1988 with Judy Finnigan.
‘It’s such a successful programme and it’s important who presents [it], but the main ingredient is the viewers.’
Presenters including Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle, Cat Deeley, Rochelle Humes and Rylan Clark have been hosting This Morning in recent weeks.
The Good Morning Britain host, 53, praised Holly as ‘exceptional’ after the star quit her This Morning job (pictured on the show) after learning of an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her
Susanna also spoke about the rotation of presenters who have been fronting This Morning and said they will have a ‘brilliant time’ on the show (pictured: Craig Doyle and Cat Deeley)
Susanna also spoke about how she has embraced ageing gracefully on television and said she feels like she has become more ‘confident’ in her 50s
She gushed: ‘I have literally no fear of getting older. I think every day is fabulous and now I’m in my 50s, I feel I’ve built up a thick skin while also being a very – hopefully – loving, sensitive person’
As well as chatting to the magazine, Susanna posed up a storm for a series of stylish photographs
Susanna also spoke about how she has embraced ageing gracefully on television and said she feels like she has become more ‘confident’ in her 50s.
The presenter said: ‘Women, especially in television, are completely embracing ageing gracefully, which means we’re not fighting it. We’re accepting it, welcoming it and enjoying it.
‘All the women on Good Morning Britain are looking better and better than we did. We’ve got a brilliant styling team, but it is also an attitude thing. It’s like no one’s afraid of ageing, so you inhabit it, rather than resist it.
‘I have literally no fear of getting older. I think every day is fabulous and now I’m in my 50s, I feel I’ve built up a thick skin while also being a very – hopefully – loving, sensitive person.
‘People often talk about impostor syndrome, but when you’ve got to your 50s, you know what you’re doing, and that gives you more confidence.’
The February issue of woman&home is on sale Thursday January 4 2024.