Former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby is facing an uphill battle to attract viewers to her new YouTube series after a shaky launch last month.
The 45-year-old television presenter launched the show, titled Together, as a venue intended for real conversations. However, comedian Katherine Ryan believes the public is still holding a grudge against Willoughby following previous high-profile controversies.
Speaking at the launch of a West End play, Ryan suggested that public resentment stems in part from queue-gate in 2022. Willoughby and her former co-host Phillip Schofield were accused of skipping the queue to view Queen Elizabeth's coffin lying in state.
"I think she's getting a hard time because she might have jumped the queue to see the deceased queen with someone who turned out to be a bit of a creep," Ryan said. "People don't realise this sometimes in a public situation, someone with that much profile gets whisked away and they don't even know what's happening."
Misogyny and Male Scandal Backlash
The 43-year-old Canadian-born comedian, who appears on the Channel 4 panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats, argued that misogyny has fuelled the criticism directed at the mother of three.
Ryan referenced Schofield, who resigned from ITV in 2023 after admitting to an extramarital affair with a young male colleague. "I think what happens is we get blamed for the actions of men," Ryan stated. "Was she having an illicit relationship with a junior male colleague or was the man doing that? Was she lying to her wife about the state of the relationship or was it a man?"
Ryan also highlighted the distressing personal security threat Willoughby faced recently. Gavin Plumb was jailed for life in 2024 for plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the star.
"And then this guy tried to kill her," Ryan added. "So I think she's been associated with something she didn't do and traumatised by men."
Despite the initial difficulties, Ryan expressed optimism for the YouTube channel's future. "I hope a new audience gets to see behind the breakfast television veneer of who Holly Willoughby is, because she's fun," she said.
Exclusive Hurlingham Party Boosts Coffers
As summer yields to autumn, the Hurlingham club in south-west London is celebrating a significant financial windfall after closing its doors to members for a private event.
The exclusive venue features 42 manicured acres where its 13,000 members pay up to £1,400 annually. Members occasionally spot the Princess of Wales dropping off one of her children for tennis lessons.
The club angered some members by closing for a single day in June to allow French fashion house Hermes to host a garden party. Guests included society figures Emma Thynn, Marchioness of Bath, and Martha, Lady Sitwell.
Despite member frustration, the venue reportedly generated around £1 million from the rental deal. A London source noted that Hurlingham earned three times more for the single Hermes event than it did for the four-day Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic in June. Both Hurlingham and Hermes declined to comment.
In other West End news, actress Sienna Miller reflected on family life during a rare night out in London. The mother of three described her current routines by saying, "It's exhausting, but it's great."
Celebrity Sightings and West End Encounters
Gentleman Jack actress Suranne Jones delighted onlookers at BFI Southbank this week by bypassing fans seeking selfies to greet a service dog.
The 48-year-old star stopped to stroke Daisy, a black labrador autism assistance dog, during a preview for series three of the BBC thriller Vigil. Jones, who owns two dachshunds, remarked, "Dogs are the most important thing."
Meanwhile, partygoers are expected to shift focus from Ibiza to Malta as summer comes to an end. The Mediterranean archipelago is preparing to host London socialites next week at the launch party for the Hard Rock Hotel Malta in St Julian's, which opened last month.
At another London gathering, a prime-time television presenter was seen attempting to flirt with a young photographer in the VIP area at the All Points East festival in Victoria Park last Saturday. The photographer appeared unimpressed by the broadcaster's approach.
Royal Absence from Wellness Festival
Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her husband Durek Verrett have withdrawn from their planned appearance at the Om and Bass wellness festival in Oxfordshire.
The 54-year-old princess is mourning her father, King Harald, who died yesterday at the age of 89. Additionally, her 51-year-old husband, a shaman who speaks openly about his bisexuality and contact with aliens, underwent a kidney transplant this week.
Organisers of the event at Braziers Park had expected the couple to lead sessions on love and spirituality alongside yoga and meditation workshops. A representative for Om and Bass confirmed the festival sent healing energy and looked forward to welcoming the couple in the future.
Warning Over Royal Return to Britain
Prominent supporter Fumi Desalu-Vold has warned Meghan Markle that returning to the United Kingdom could severely strain her marriage to Prince Harry.
The Ugly Betty actress and social media star released a video urging the Duchess of Sussex to reconsider her trip before the family arrived in Britain on Wednesday.
"It will break up your marriage and you will end up going back to the US," Desalu-Vold warned. She added that the issues that prompted the couple to leave six years ago had magnified rather than resolved.
Desalu-Vold urged Meghan to think of her wellbeing, saying, "For your mental health, emotional health and physical health, I would reconsider."
Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations
Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel is preparing to attend Notting Hill Carnival as the street party marks a major milestone.
The 37-year-old actress had her nails painted with the initials "NHC" and the number "60" to celebrate 60 years of the event, which is expected to draw one million visitors to West London.
Emmanuel shared a picture of her festive manicure online, declaring, "I absolutely love Carnival."
British Identity and Communication Habits
Oscar-nominated actor Bill Nighy has expressed confusion over why members of the public frequently describe him as distinctly English.
The 76-year-old Love Actually star recalled being approached by an overseas visitor at a preview of his new film & Sons at the Curzon cinema in Mayfair who commented on his English appearance. Nighy noted that a similar interaction occurred recently in Rome.
Nighy insisted he was wearing items from other countries on both occasions. The actor famously packed Yorkshire Tea and Marmite when travelling to India to film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
In entertainment news, James Corden has voiced frustration over receiving voice messages, including one sent by pop star Rihanna regarding the 2025 movie Smurfs.
The comedian described leaving voice notes as selfish, arguing that the sender prioritises their own convenience over the recipient's time. Corden added that voice memos from his Gavin and Stacey co-star Ruth Jones are similarly annoying.
