Yahoo News Holly Willoughby quits Celebrity Juice after 12 years
After 12 years as a team captain on Celebrity Juice, Holly Willoughby has confirmed she is quitting the show.
In an emotional social media post, the 39-year-old broke the news and thanked fans and the production team as well as paying tribute to the show’s irreverent host, Keith Lemon.
She wrote: “Thank you @celebjuiceofficial for 12 years of fantastic chaos. I can’t quite believe what we’ve done and how quick that time has gone.
Read more: Holly Willoughby red faced after prank by Bradley Walsh live on This Morning
“Thank you to you all for watching..we’ve always had the loudest and best audiences. Also a huge thank you to @itv2 for believing in the show in the first place and for all of your support.
“Over the years the production team has changed, however to anyone lucky enough to have worked on the show, they will know that we really do have the best time, it’s never felt like work and always been to me like a night out. Thank you for all your ingenious ideas and hard work.”
She went on to say it was time to step down and pass the mantel on to “some lucky lucky person”.
“All good things must come to an end and nothing lasts forever. It’s time for me to hand over my team captain seat to some lucky lucky person - whoever that is, know you are about to get one of the best jobs in telly working with one of comedies finest... @keithlemon.”
She went on to say how the show worked so well due to the friendship shared between herself, Lemon and fellow team captain Fearne Cotton, who left in 2018.
She said: “I remember starting this journey and saying ‘I think this might work’ my goodness me it did -three friends, you me and @fearnecotton and that is what is at the heart of it.. friendship.
“I love the bones of you Lemon! Thank you for making me laugh for twelve years.”
She revealed she fans may not have seen the last of her, saying she may return as a guest.
Read more: Holly Willoughby throws Phillip Schofield a virtual surprise birthday party
She added: “I’ll be back as a guest and just to make sure someone is keeping you in check. If I don’t see you through a week or next week or the week after know you are always in my heart.”
Willoughby has been on the show since its inception back in 2008. Her final appearance as team captain will be at the end of the current series.
