She’s been going through a quiet spell in her career, with no primetime show to front for the first time in over 20 years. But Holly Willoughby is now leaning on her TV producer husband Dan Baldwin to help secure her next big gig.

Holly and Dan

‘Holly’s used to being at the very top of the game, so the past year has been a huge knock to her confidence,’ a source tells Closer. ‘Dan has been an incredible support, but he’s under his own pressures running his production company. Holly has a quiet expectation that he’ll be able to fix this and help her land the next big show to regain her golden girl status.’

Holly, 44, and Dan, 50, met while they were both working on ITV kids’ show Ministry Of Mayhem in 2004. They got engaged in 2006 before tying the knot the following year, and have children Harry, 16, Belle, 14, and Chester, 10, together.

Dan has produced endless hit primetime shows, including Gladiators and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show. He’s also worked on multiple shows that Holly has fronted, like Celebrity Juice, Take Off with Bradley and Holly and Freeze The Fear With Wim Hof.

Holly and Bear

Holly’s career history has been equally impressive. She presented This Morning for 14 years alongside former pal Phillip Schofield, but in October 2023 she stepped down from the show after it was revealed she’d been the target of a kidnap, rape and murder plot.

Meanwhile, Dancing On Ice was axed this year – which she’d presented since 2005 – and her Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt also faced the chopping block after just one series. Now, our source says she’s eager to return to screens – but the pressure of finding her next big job could be taking a toll on her relationship.

‘Holly misses that daily buzz of live TV and Dan feels he needs to deliver a hit – not just for himself, but for her,’ the insider explains. ‘There’s some frustration bubbling away. Holly’s aware it’s not rational – Dan can’t conjure a hit out of thin air but emotionally, it’s a tough time.

‘She sees other presenters bouncing back with splashy new projects and wonders why it isn’t happening for her. She’s hoping he’ll be able to make it work.’