Holly Willoughby reveals she almost quit This Morning because she was ‘scared of looking stupid’

‘I was terrified!’ Holly Willoughby reveals she almost quit This Morning before even starting her presenting role because she was ‘scared of looking stupid’

Holly Willoughby has revealed she almost quit This Morning before even starting her presenting role because she was ‘terrified of looking stupid’.

The TV star, 40, – who has fronted the show alongside Phillip Schofield for 12 years – said she thought some people had questioned if she was the right fit for the job.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s BAFTA Television Awards, she told The Radio Times: ‘When I started, I was terrified. 

Honest: Holly Willoughby has revealed she almost quit This Morning before even starting her presenting role because she was ‘terrified of looking stupid’

‘I only ever felt comfortable in cookery and fashion – I was so scared of asking important questions for fear of looking stupid.

‘I was quite young and I think some people were questioning whether I was the right person for the job.’ 

Holly is still a hugely popular host of the ITV daytime show and supported Phillip when he came out as gay last February.

It comes after last month it was reported that ITV is considering ‘upping’ Holly‘s salary if the presenter’s legal fight with her old agents ‘reaches crisis level’.

Icon: The TV star, 40, - who has fronted the show alongside Phillip Schofield for 12 years - said she thought some people had questioned if she was the right fit for the job

Icon: The TV star, 40, – who has fronted the show alongside Phillip Schofield for 12 years – said she thought some people had questioned if she was the right fit for the job

Holly hired lawyers to take action against the YMU Group after they demanded a percentage of her future earnings, it was reported in February.

Network bosses now fear Holly will walk away from her This Morning role if she is forced to pay YMU the estimated 15% sunset provisions they are asking for. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Holly’s YMU row sparked some serious worries at ITV as they know how adamant she is that she shouldn’t have to pay them.

‘They are hoping the situation can be amicably resolved. But they have agreed a last-resort plan to up her salary if it was to reach crisis level and they can ill-afford to lose her.’

Worry: Speaking ahead of Sunday's BAFTA Television Awards, she told The Radio Times : 'When I started, I was terrified' (pictured with Phillip on the show)

Worry: Speaking ahead of Sunday’s BAFTA Television Awards, she told The Radio Times : ‘When I started, I was terrified’ (pictured with Phillip on the show)

The paper added: ‘They have not yet had a conversation with Holly about this and she’d never dream of asking for a raise.’

MailOnline has reached out to ITV and Holly’s representatives for comment. 

Sunset provisions are commissions collected by agents from a star who is no longer on their roster, meaning YMU could get a cut from her appearances on Dancing On Ice and This Morning going forward.  

Holly formed her own all-female agency called Roxy last year – and is now managing herself.

She is said to be willing to pay YMU commissions on jobs arranged while she was with them, but not if those contracts are renewed, The Sun reports.

The mother-of-three has been told she could be forced to pay YMU some £10,000 should their bid be successful.

The presenter has hired a team of lawyers – who she met in February – to ensure that does not happen. 

A source told The Sun: ‘No one wanted this to go legal but Holly won’t simply give away her hard-fought millions without a fight.’

They added: ‘This is a sad finale to what was once a hugely successful partnership.’

YMU currently represent celebrities including Willoughby’s This Morning co-star Phillip Schofield.

‘But YMU seem unhappy she’s set up on her own and feel entitled to maximise a sunset provision to claim commission on the renewal of contracts.’

It was reported that Willoughby left YMU back in August.

She was said to have made plans to manage herself within an all-female team once she left the agency – who she was with for 13 years.

Pay rise: It comes after last month it was reported that ITV is considering 'upping' Holly 's salary if the presenter's legal fight with her old agents 'reaches crisis level'

Pay rise: It comes after last month it was reported that ITV is considering ‘upping’ Holly ‘s salary if the presenter’s legal fight with her old agents ‘reaches crisis level’