Simon Cowell tried to convince Holly Willoughby to turn down ‘This Morning’.
The 37-year-old presenter – who has hosted the brunch-time show alongside Phillip Schofield since 2009 after she was brought in as Fern Britton’s replacement – has revealed that the music mogul, who she worked with on ‘The Xtra Factor’ in 2008, tried to warn her that joining the programme would be a "really big mistake."
Speaking on ‘This Morning: 30 Unforgettable Years’, which aired last night (02.10.18), she said: "I remember I was doing ‘Xtra Factor’ and it got to the point where we had to let Simon Cowell know that I was coming to do ‘This Morning’, and he said: ‘I think that would be a really big mistake.’ He got that wrong!"
The blonde beauty owes a lot to Phillip – who she was working with on ‘Dancing on Ice’ at the time – as he told bosses he would leave unless they hired her as his co-presenter.
He said: "I’d said I’m not doing it with anyone else, it has to be you or I’m not doing it."
To which Holly replied: "And that I have to thank you for, because if it wasn’t for you, there is no doubt I wouldn’t be doing this."
The pair – who host the show Monday through to Thursday while Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes present it on Fridays – have become fan favourites over the years and the programme even received a special BAFTA on Monday (01.10.18) night.
Holding back the tears as she collected the award on behalf of the show, Holly said: "To be stood up here holding a BAFTA for a show that you’re lucky enough to even be a part of is incredible. ‘This Morning’ has the best team and has done for 30 years.
"Everybody has said it’s something that has shaped their career and is something that stays with you. This show gives you something that no other show can I think.
"Whether it be friendship or skills in telly or whether it be whatever you take with you for the rest of time. I think this is very special and everyone should be very proud."
Simon Cowell tried to get Holly Willoughby to snub This Morning presenting gig
