Struggling Holly is blamed for faults of men, says comic pal

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 29, 2026

Holly Willoughby's YouTube series Together is struggling to gain viewers, partly due to ongoing public criticism stemming from past controversies like the 2022 "queue-gate" incident. Comedian Katherine Ryan argued that Willoughby faces unfair backlash, influenced by gender bias and her association with co-host Phillip Schofield's scandals, but sees potential for the series to improve her public image.

Holly Willoughby is encountering difficulties in attracting viewers to her YouTube series, Together, which launched last month and is described as a platform for “real conversations.” The series has had a challenging start, with some attributing its slow growth to ongoing public criticism of the former This Morning presenter.

Comedian Katherine Ryan, who appeared as a guest on the show’s second episode, suggested that Willoughby, 45, is facing backlash linked to past controversies, including the widely publicized "queue-gate" incident in 2022. During that incident, Willoughby and her co-host Phillip Schofield were accused of cutting ahead in the line to view Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lying in state. Ryan noted that Willoughby may have been treated unfairly, in part due to the high-profile nature of the situation and the actions of Schofield, whom Ryan described as “a bit of a creep.” She added that public perception often does not account for the complexities involved when prominent figures are rushed through events without their full knowledge.

Ryan, who is Canadian-born and regularly appears on the Channel 4 panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats, also raised concerns about gender bias influencing the critical reception of Willoughby. She highlighted the contrast between Willoughby’s experience and that of Schofield, who resigned from ITV in 2023 following his admission to an extramarital affair with a younger male colleague. Ryan argued that women are often blamed for the misconduct of men, questioning why Willoughby is scrutinized for actions linked to Schofield’s behaviour.

In addition to these events, Ryan referenced a traumatic episode in Willoughby’s life involving Gavin Plumb, who was sentenced to a life term in 2024 for plotting to kidnap, rape, and murder the presenter. Ryan described Willoughby as being “traumatised by men” and wrongly associated with controversies she did not instigate.

Despite these challenges, Ryan expressed optimism about Willoughby’s transition into her new digital venture. She hopes the series will allow audiences to see a different side of Willoughby beyond her breakfast television persona, describing her as “fun” and implying that Together could help reshape public opinion and broaden her viewer base.

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