Holly Willoughby has returned to the screen with a new lifestyle series titled "Together," which premiered this week on YouTube. The unscripted show adopts a documentary-style format and features various segments centered on cooking, beauty, and informal conversation.
The debut episode of "Together" focused on the "Cook Together" strand, with Willoughby joined by actor Stanley Tucci in the kitchen. The pair spent nearly 50 minutes preparing a simple dish of spaghetti with fried courgettes, during which the program featured casual banter and glimpses behind the scenes, including shots of the crew and even a camera inside the on-set refrigerator. The format aims for authenticity, with an informal tone and unpolished production values, such as shaky camera work and moments of unscripted humor.
The show includes five different strands, such as "Talk Together," where celebrity guests engage in candid discussions, and "Look Good Together," focusing on fashion and beauty tips. Willoughby positioned the series as a relaxed alternative to polished lifestyle programming, relying on her personality and everyday relatability to engage viewers.
This new venture comes more than two and a half years after Willoughby left ITV’s long-running daytime program "This Morning." Her departure followed public criticism surrounding an incident in 2022, when she and co-host Phillip Schofield were accused of bypassing queues during the lying-in-state of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall. Schofield later resigned amid controversy over an inappropriate relationship with a younger colleague, a scandal that also affected public perception of their partnership. Additionally, Willoughby was the target of a foiled kidnapping and murder plot in 2024, resulting in the life imprisonment of the perpetrator.
Since then, Willoughby has expressed indifference to critics’ opinions of her work. "Together" reflects a change in tone from her previous mainstream television presence. The program features elements intended to appear spontaneous and genuine, with Willoughby incorporating casual language and settings designed to resonate with a broad audience.
Co-host Stanley Tucci, described on the show as both a prolific actor and an enthusiastic cook, frequently offered detailed culinary advice throughout the episode, at times adopting a more formal tone. His presence added a contrasting dynamic to the show’s informal style.
Initial responses to "Together" have noted the show’s slow pace and understated approach, raising questions about its appeal in a market saturated with celebrity cooking and lifestyle content. As a YouTube production, the show represents a shift toward digital platforms and experimental formats in Willoughby’s career.
"Together" aims to carve out a niche through its blend of cooking, conversation, and lifestyle segments, though it remains to be seen how it will be received by viewers accustomed to more fast-paced, highly produced programming.