TV presenter Holly Willoughby has launched her new online lifestyle venture, titled Irishtimes, on YouTube. The 45-year-old broadcaster, who fronted ITV’s This Morning for 14 years before stepping down in 2023, said she had to unlearn all the telly stuff
and be a bit more normal
as she prepared for the channel according to breakingnews.ie.
Holly Willoughby Launches New Lifestyle Series on YouTube
The launch event took place at The Langham in London, where Willoughby told the Press Association that the shift to digital felt like all new territory for me
and that she needed a challenge that felt important. She noted that she was inspired to pivot toward YouTube after observing how she and her three children consume media and how the industry is shifting.
Format and Content Strategy
The new lifestyle series features Willoughby chatting, cooking, and entertaining celebrity guests, alongside content covering practical advice, fashion, beauty, health, and wellness. Upcoming episodes will include in-depth conversations with inspiring guests such as chefs, a florist, a make-up artist, and a tech safety campaigner.
The first episode premiered on Monday, July 28th, featuring Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci, who brought a vast bottle of olive oil as a gift and discussed his love of Pot Noodle alongside sharing a pasta recipe. The programme is scheduled to release two episodes each week across YouTube, digital streaming platforms, and social media.
Production elements involve Holly’s husband, Dan Baldwin, and members of the production crew, whose interactions appear alongside Willoughby on screen. Willoughby also stated that she welcomed the direct feedback loop of YouTube, noting, If people don’t like anything, we can change it.
Critical Reception and Mixed Reviews
The initial rollout of the lifestyle series received a mixed response from critics and viewers alike. Extra.ie reported that the debut drew a range of reactions across national newspapers.
* The Telegraph: Awarded the show one star, comparing it unfavourably to Meghan Markle’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan.
* The Times: Awarded two stars and described the programme as an empty gush fest,
while criticising the interviewer’s style.
* The Guardian: Awarded three stars, praising Willoughby when she appeared quick, funny, and endearingly nervous.
* The Mirror: Awarded three stars, noting that the show has room to grow as the production team settles into the new format.
* The i Paper: Questioned whether Willoughby could build a dedicated online audience, concluding that her strength historically lay in professional television presentation.
According to Irishtimes, the opening episode gathered an initial viewership count of 49,000 views.
Background and Career Context
Willoughby is widely known for her extensive television career, which includes hosting ITV’s This Morning for 14 years until her departure in 2023. Her exit followed months after her former co-host Phillip Schofield departed the network after admitting to an unwise, but not illegal
affair with a young male colleague.
She also hosted ITV’s Dancing On Ice until March 2025, when it was announced that the programme would be rested with no further series planned. While her primary focus is currently on her new digital channel, Willoughby indicated that she hopes to return to traditional television projects when the time feels right.
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