Holly Willoughby became visibly emotional during an interview in which she discussed a mother’s campaign that led to the reopening of an inquest into the death of her 14-year-old son. The former television presenter spoke with Ellen Roome, whose son Julian Sweeney is believed to have died in 2022 as a result of an online challenge.

Julian’s case gained renewed attention after the introduction of "Jools’ Law," legislation incorporated into the Crime and Policing Act. The law requires digital platforms to preserve a child’s online data within five days of being notified of their death, aiming to aid investigations into similar cases.

In the interview, which was part of Willoughby’s YouTube series titled Together, she expressed her emotional response to Roome’s account. Willoughby told Roome, “You just said something and I’ve been really trying to hold it together, and that just really got me.” She also acknowledged the strength and determination Roome displayed by stating, “You were saying that you know deep down that he’d be proud of you.”

The renewed inquest and subsequent law highlight ongoing concerns about the impact of online challenges on young people and the importance of digital evidence in investigating such incidents. The campaign and legislative change reflect increasing efforts to address child safety and accountability within digital platforms.