Holly Willoughby was told not to wear a bra to be more “attractive” to male viewers, including on children’s television, friends claim in the latest misogyny row
- Holly Willoughby is now also known for her chic fashion choices
- Many of her outfits have sold out after she posted them on Instagram
TV bosses faced a fresh misogyny controversy last night when Holly Willoughby was told by male executives to go braless on a children’s show early in her career.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the This Morning presenter, now 42, was told it would make her “more attractive” to male viewers.
A close confidante of the star said he had raised concerns at the time with a senior staff member working behind the scenes on one of the shows.
“Before I even knew who Holly was, I saw her without a bra and asked a director who she was and why she was dressed like that,” the friend said.
“I said she had to put a bra on, it was on children’s TV.” Some time later I reminded Holly and she said she didn’t have to wear a bra and that the shows weren’t really for children.
TV bosses faced a fresh misogyny controversy last night when Holly Willoughby was told by male executives to go braless on a children’s show early in her career
Ms Wiloughby was photographed dying on the TV show “Ministry of Mayhem” in 2004
“It was pretty amazing that that happened.”
Another friend added: “It’s pretty awful, it doesn’t even seem that long ago. “And what’s worse is that Holly probably wasn’t the only one.”
During her time on ITV Saturday morning show Ministry Of Mayhem from 2004 to 2006, Ms Willoughby was dressed in several risqué outfits in front of the cameras.
She was dressed as a maid, wearing a black short skirt and matching top; as well as a skimpy festive Mrs. Christmas outfit. She also appeared in low-cut tops and became drenched in water or mud during her appearance on the show.
A television insider told this newspaper: “It was like that back then, young women were told what to wear and they didn’t say no.” Like many other industries, television was overwhelmingly run by men, and they were young, quite ambitious ones Hired women who had to do what they were told. It was completely misogynistic.’
Ms Willoughby is now also known for her chic fashion choices, with many of her outfits selling out after she posted them on Instagram
In 2004, she co-directed Ministry Of Mayhem, later known as Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown, with Stephen Mulhern. She also stepped in at CD:UK after Cat Deeley left
A few years later, her friend and former Celebrity Juice colleague Leigh Francis gave her the nickname “Holly Willoughbooby,” which has stuck with her throughout her A-list career.
Ms Willoughby, now one of the most in-demand television presenters in the UK, became a household name in 2006 when she began co-hosting ITV’s Dancing On Ice with Phillip Schofield. Three years later she got her dream job when she was hired to replace Fern Britton as presenter of This Morning alongside Schofield. She began her career on children’s show S Club TV before hosting Xchange for the BBC and CCBC on Fame Academy.
In 2004, she co-directed Ministry Of Mayhem, later known as Holly & Stephen’s Saturday Showdown, with Stephen Mulhern. She also stepped in at CD:UK after Cat Deeley left.
Ms Willoughby is now also known for her chic fashion choices, with many of her outfits selling out after she posted them on Instagram.