Holly Willoughby’s hopeful plans to return to our television screens in 2026 could be threatened after her dream £8million home became the focus of a bitter planing row
After a challenging year both personally and professionally, Holly Willoughby was no doubt hoping to turn over a new leaf in 2026. But the star has been dealt a fresh blow after her dream £8million home became the focus of a bitter planning row – leading to fears the fallout could overshadow her long-awaited TV comeback.
Holly, 44, and her TV producer husband Dan Baldwin, 50, already had plans approved for a gym, cinema and a ground floor link at the lavish six-bed property in the south east. But proposals to add a first-floor glass corridor were branded “inappropriate” and “overly dominant” by council chiefs.
It’s the latest in a long line of setbacks for Holly. Just last month, her girl-next-door image took a hit after she pleaded guilty to careless driving after a collision with a scooter driver, whose neck was fractured, while driving in Barnes, south west London.
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The fear now, an expert tells new , is that Holly’s latest negative headlines could potentially stall her TV return. “At a time when so many people are struggling financially, headlines about a large home extension inevitably land badly, even if everything is being done within the rules,” says celebrity PR expert Mayah Riaz.
“The danger for Holly is that she risks looking out of touch. Perception often shouts louder than facts, and right now that perception is uncomfortable.” According to Mayah, public affection for Holly is likely to dwindle if damaging stories continue to swirl, so her best strategy would be to lie low before stepping back into the spotlight.
“What we are seeing with Holly is what I call drip damage,” she explains. “One headline on its own rarely destroys a career, but repeated negative stories slowly erode public goodwill.
“A long pause followed by one strong, well-chosen project would send a clear message that she is selective, not scrambling. The worst thing she could do is look like she is chasing relevance.”
Mayah adds, “But I believe quitting showbiz altogether would be the wrong move. That would look like retreat rather than reset. This is a moment for pause, not disappearance. Sometimes the most powerful strategy is knowing when not to be everywhere.”
Since quitting as co-host of This Morning in 2023 following a vile kidnap, rape and murder plot, the former TV golden girl has battled a volley of personal and professional upheavals.
Last year alone two of her biggest shows – Dancing On Ice and Netflix ’s Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls – were cancelled, while the star also stepped down as co-host of ITV gameshow You Bet!.
On a far darker note, last October Gavin Plumb, the security guard jailed for plotting to abduct the presenter, appealed his sentence, causing fresh anguish for the mum-of-three. But with new opportunities on the horizon in 2026, our expert says Holly could still stage a triumphant comeback. The key, she says, is to pick the right TV project and avoid trying to excuse her behaviour.
“This is absolutely recoverable if it is handled correctly,” says Mayah. “The instinct for many celebrities in this position is to explain, defend or over-communicate, but that would be a mistake here and we haven’t seen Holly do this before. The smartest move would be a period of strategic quiet. This would mean being less visible, fewer announcements, no reactive statements. Basically letting the noise settle.
“When Holly does return, it needs to feel intentional and authentic, not rushed or desperate to win approval. The public is surprisingly forgiving when they sense humility and self-awareness.”
As to what would be the ideal platform for her return, our PR guru says Holly may need to step out of her comfort zone. “Holly is not limited in what she can do next, but she may need to pivot,” she says. “Moving into lifestyle, documentary work, or even behind the scenes roles such as production, could allow her to evolve while protecting her reputation.”
But there’s one area of entertainment Mayah believes would be disastrous for the star. “Reality TV as a contestant would be a very risky move for her right now,” she warns. “Shows like Strictly or I’m A Celebrity work best when someone is chasing public affection or reinvention, but Holly has spent her entire career as the reassuring constant, not the underdog.
“The public does not want to watch Holly suffer in a jungle or on a dance floor. They want to see her steady again. Putting herself in a position where she can be judged by the public could further dilute the authority and polish she has built over decades. The moment she starts trying to win votes, it risks looking like she is asking for forgiveness, rather than quietly earning respect.”
While reclaiming her daytime TV crown might feel slightly out of reach, Mayah believes Holly can still forge a hugely successful career. “There is a shift available from golden girl to respected broadcaster, and that is often a more sustainable position long term,” she says. “The public loves a comeback, but only when it feels earned rather than engineered.”
Source: Mirror
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