# Holly Willoughby’s Emotional Revelation: Children’s Fears and Struggles Amid Tax Scandal and ITV Exit
Holly Willoughby, once a beloved fixture on British television, has faced a tumultuous period marked by a £377,000 tax scandal and the abrupt end of her long-standing relationship with ITV. The former *This Morning* and *Dancing on Ice* presenter recently opened up about the emotional toll these events have taken on her family, particularly her three children—Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and Chester, 10. In a heartbreaking revelation, Holly shared that her children asked if “Mum was in trouble” as the tax controversy surrounding her company, Roxy Media, made headlines. This article explores Holly’s candid response, the financial and professional challenges she faces, and the personal resilience she’s shown in navigating this difficult chapter.
## The Tax Scandal: A Financial Storm
In April 2025, Holly Willoughby and her husband, TV producer Dan Baldwin, found themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Their company, Roxy Media, was taken to the Insolvency and Companies Court in London after receiving a winding-up order from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in January. The court revealed that Roxy Media owed £377,000 in unpaid taxes, a significant reduction from an initially undisclosed higher amount. The case, which has been adjourned until July 9, 2025, could potentially lead to the dissolution of the company if the debt remains unpaid.[](https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2042516/holly-willoughby-company-taxman-amount)[](https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/holly-willoughby-phillip-schofield-high-court-itv-this-morning-b1222812.html)
Financial experts have suggested that the dispute may stem from differing interpretations of Holly’s tax status. It’s possible that her *This Morning* salary was paid into Roxy Media as freelance income, while HMRC argues it should have been taxed under PAYE (Pay As You Earn), as if she were an ITV employee. This disagreement has placed Holly and Dan under intense scrutiny, with HMRC emphasizing that winding-up petitions are a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14619029/Holly-Willoughby-media-company-tax-High-Court.html)[](https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1270743-holly-willoughby-hit-by-tax-scandal-amid-shocking-personal-turmoil)
The tax scandal has not only threatened Holly’s financial stability but also cast a shadow over her public image. Once celebrated as a “national treasure,” Holly now faces public and media speculation about her business practices, adding to the pressure of an already challenging period.
ITV’s Decision: The End of an Era
Compounding Holly’s difficulties, ITV announced in 2025 that *Dancing on Ice*, the skating show she co-hosted since 2006, would be “rested” with no plans for a new series in 2026. This decision effectively ended Holly’s 19-year tenure with the broadcaster, marking the first time in over two decades that she has no active role on ITV.[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14619029/Holly-Willoughby-media-company-tax-High-Court.html)[](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/holly-willoughbys-company-owes-377000-35066404)
Holly’s departure from ITV was not entirely unexpected. She stepped down from *This Morning* in October 2023 after 14 years, following a series of personal and professional challenges, including a terrifying kidnapping and murder plot against her and the fallout from co-presenter Phillip Schofield’s affair scandal. The *Dancing on Ice* cancellation, however, was a significant blow, as it was one of the last platforms where Holly maintained a high-profile presence.[](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/holly-willoughbys-company-owes-377000-35066404)[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14416391/Holly-Willoughby-faces-new-court-battle-media-company-ordered-pay-eye-watering-tax-bill.html)
In a heartfelt social media post, Holly paid tribute to *Dancing on Ice*, expressing gratitude to the cast, crew, and viewers. She described the show as a “burst of glittering, dazzling light” that brought joy during the grey January months. Yet, behind the scenes, the loss of this platform has left Holly grappling with an uncertain future in television.[](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/holly-willoughbys-company-owes-377000-35066404)
## A Mother’s Heartbreak: Her Children’s Fears
Amid the public scrutiny and professional upheaval, Holly’s most poignant revelation came in a recent interview with *The Sunday Times*. Breaking down in tears, she shared that her children had asked, “Is Mum in trouble?” as news of the tax scandal broke. The question, innocent yet piercing, underscored the personal toll of the controversy. Holly admitted that the past year had been “s*** for all of us,” referring to herself, Dan, and their three children.[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14416391/Holly-Willoughby-faces-new-court-battle-media-company-ordered-pay-eye-watering-tax-bill.html)
Holly’s response to her children was both tender and resolute. She reassured them that she was not in trouble in the way they feared, explaining that the situation was a complex adult matter involving taxes and business. However, she acknowledged the difficulty of shielding them from the media storm, as headlines about the tax debt and her ITV exit dominated tabloids. Holly’s candor about her children’s concerns highlights her role as a mother first, even as she navigates public challenges.
The emotional weight of this moment was compounded by Holly’s earlier experiences. In 2023, she faced a traumatic ordeal when Gavin Plumb, a security guard, was convicted of plotting to kidnap, rape, and murder her. The trial, which led to Plumb’s life sentence, prompted Holly to take a step back from public life to focus on her family’s safety and well-being. The tax scandal and ITV’s decisions have added new layers of stress, making her children’s fears all the more poignant.[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14416391/Holly-Willoughby-faces-new-court-battle-media-company-ordered-pay-eye-watering-tax-bill.html)
## Resilience and Reinvention
Despite these challenges, Holly has shown remarkable resilience. In her *Sunday Times* interview, she described herself as “healthy and happy” after taking time to recover from the trauma of the past year. Her decision to waive anonymity as a victim in the Plumb case allowed the public to understand the full extent of her ordeal, reinforcing her strength in the face of adversity.[](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14416391/Holly-Willoughby-faces-new-court-battle-media-company-ordered-pay-eye-watering-tax-bill.html)
Professionally, Holly is branching out beyond ITV. She recently hosted *Celebrity Bear Hunt* on Netflix alongside adventurer Bear Grylls, a move that marks a significant shift from her ITV roots. The show, which pits celebrities against challenging outdoor tasks, has been praised for Holly’s warmth and “mum mode” approach, as noted by Grylls. This new venture suggests that Holly is actively seeking to redefine her career on her own terms.[](https://metro.co.uk/2025/02/21/holly-willoughby-husband-owe-300-000-unpaid-tax-business-risks-closure-22601975/)
Additionally, Holly’s lifestyle brand, Wylde Moon, continues to thrive. Launched in 2021, the brand offers candles, diffusers, and scents, and has been estimated to potentially generate millions in revenue. While Roxy Media faces financial scrutiny, Wylde Moon represents a separate endeavor that could provide stability as Holly navigates her next steps.[](https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2042516/holly-willoughby-company-taxman-amount)
## The Road Ahead
Holly Willoughby’s journey over the past few years has been fraught with challenges, from personal threats to professional setbacks and financial disputes. The tax scandal, in particular, has brought her private struggles into the public eye, forcing her to confront difficult questions from her children and the media. Yet, her response—marked by honesty, resilience, and a commitment to her family—paints a picture of a woman determined to move forward.
As the July 2025 court date looms, Holly and Dan will need to address the £377,000 tax debt to secure Roxy Media’s future. Meanwhile, Holly’s absence from ITV opens the door to new opportunities, whether through Netflix, her lifestyle brand, or other ventures. Her ability to balance these professional pursuits with her role as a mother will likely define her path in the coming years.
Holly’s story resonates with many who face public and private struggles. Her children’s question—“Is Mum in trouble?”—captures the universal fear of seeing a loved one under pressure. By sharing her heartbreak and her determination to overcome it, Holly Willoughby continues to connect with audiences, not just as a presenter, but as a person navigating life’s complexities with grace and strength.
