Holly Willoughby has spoken out in defence of Meghan Markle’s heavily criticised Netflix lifestyle programme, as her own new show faces brutal comparisons to it.
The 45-year-old former This Morning presenter launched her YouTube series Holly Willoughby Together last month, with fans online promptly drawing parallels to the Duchess of Sussex’s With Love, Meghan.
Rather than distancing herself from the comparison, Mrs Willoughby embraced it.
Speaking to The Times, she said: “I know it got an absolute hammering, but I actually really enjoyed her show.”
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Meghan’s series, which debuted on Netflix in March 2025, was savaged by critics upon arrival, including royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who told GB News her show felt “inauthentic, superficial, and cringeworthy”.
Mrs Willoughby’s own programme has hardly fared better with reviewers. The Telegraph awarded it just one star out of five, dismissing it as “dire” and suggesting it “makes Meghan look good”.
The Guardian, meanwhile, branded the programme “a marginally less agonising With Love, Meghan.”
Mrs Willoughby herself has acknowledged the precariousness of her position. Having presented ITV’s flagship daytime programme for 14 years before her departure in 2023, the shift to YouTube represents a considerable leap of faith.
She told the newspaper: “Of course it’s a risk. It’s not safe. I can’t fall back on anything. You’re relying on people coming to find you and staying with you because they want to watch you.”
The former Dancing on Ice presenter also said her new show can “evolve and go in any direction” depending on feedback from viewers.
Beyond the critical reception both shows have received, Mrs Willoughby has her own lifestyle brand, Wylde Moon, selling candles and fragrance, similar to that of Meghan’s As Ever.
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The presenter has also attracted controversy for partnering with weight loss medication firm Voy as a sponsor, while her collaboration with producer husband Dan Baldwin on the series has prompted accusations of nepotism.
Meghan’s own media ventures faced turbulence, too.
Although With Love, Meghan returned for a second series, and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award, the duchess severed ties with Netflix and took complete control of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, amid concerns the streamer was holding the business back.
In a statement concerning the split, Netflix said: “Meghan’s passion for elevating everyday moments in beautiful yet simple ways inspired the creation of the As Ever brand, and we are glad to have played a role in bringing that vision to life.
“As it was always intended, Meghan will continue growing the brand and take it into its next chapter independently, and we look forward to celebrating how she continues to bring joy to households around the world.”
As for Mrs Willoughby, despite the headwinds, she continues to press ahead. The latest instalment of Together, released today, features Irish comedian Joanne McNally, following earlier episodes with Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci and comedian Katherine Ryan.
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