Keith Lemon admits he nearly QUIT Celebrity Juice after Holly Willoughby’s shock exit… as he reveals his ‘TV sister’ left to spend ‘more time with her family’
Keith Lemon has admitted that he nearly quit Celebrity Juice after he was left ‘gutted’ over Holly Willoughby’s shock exit.
The comedian, 47, real name Leigh Francis, has revealed how upset he was over his co-presenter’s departure after 12 years.
Keith and Holly, 39, started presenting the show alongside Fearne Cotton, who left in 2018, in 2008 – meaning Keith is the last man standing from the original lineup.
TV sister: Keith Lemon has admitted that he nearly quit Celebrity Juice after he was left ‘gutted’ over Holly Willoughby’s shock exit (pictured in 2011)
The comedian has now revealed how Holly delivered the new via phone and he thought she was pregnant.
Keith added that Holly told him it was ‘like breaking up with a boyfriend’ and she has left the show to spend more time with her family. She has children Harry, ten, Belle, nine, and Chester, five, with husband Daniel Baldwin.
He told The Sun: ‘I was really sad and realised I was going to miss her. I’m gutted, she was like my TV sister.
‘She’s welcome back any time. I’ll properly miss her.’
Sad times: The comedian, 47, real name Leigh Francis, has revealed how upset he was over his co-presenter’s departure after 12 years (pictured in 2017, left, and 2012, right)
All over: Keith and Holly, 39, started presenting the show alongside Fearne Cotton, who left in 2018, in 2008 – meaning Keith is the last man standing from the original lineup
The duo hosted their last show together on Thursday via videolink and the comfort of their homes due to the COVID-19 crisis.
He added: ‘It’s weird not being able to say goodbye to her in person at the moment. I’ll miss Holly’s hugs.’
Keith said that he didn’t want to lower the mood of the episode by revealing Holly’s departure so has instead organised for next week’s episode to be a compilation of clips looking back over Holly’s time as a presenter.
Emotional: He told The Sun : ‘I was really sad and realised I was going to miss her. I’m gutted, she was like my TV sister.’
He is about to present a new TV show, The Fantastical Factory Of Curious Craft – a creative programme which sees contestants compete in various craft challenges.
He will be joined by Naked Attraction presenter Anna Richardson.
However, Keith revealed that his persona will be much more subdued than it is on Celebrity Juice.
He told The Mirror: ‘On Celebrity Juice it’s a world where there is no law. You can say and do what you want.
Family: Keith added that Holly told him it was ‘like breaking up with a boyfriend’ and she has left the show to spend more time with her family (pictured with husband Daniel Baldwin)
‘But you have to be respectful of people on Fantastical Factory as they’re busy making creations.’
He added that he is usually drunk while filming Celebrity Juice but will be more professional for this new programme.
He said: ‘I’m quieter, I walk around and ask questions. I told my mates not to expect to see me doing what I do on Juice.’
ITV Celebrity Juice bosses are now hunting for a replacement for Holly, with Laura Whitmore and Michelle Keegan reportedly the front runners.
The Love Island presenter, 35, is said to be in the line-up alongside fellow star Michelle, 32, who has just left BBC drama Our Girl.
Front runners: Laura Whitmore (pictured) and Michelle Keegan are reportedly battling it out over who will replace Holly on the show
An insider told The Mirror: ‘Laura has been a familiar ITV face for over a decade now and she is perfect to retain the show’s younger audience.
‘Laura also gets on with Keith, which is important, and she has taken part on Celebrity Juice in the past.’
The source revealed that Laura is the front runner to join host Keith Lemon, 45, real name Leigh Francis, and Spice Girl Mel B, 44.
Battling it out: The Love Island presenter, 35, is said to be in the line-up alongside fellow star Michelle (pictured in February), 32, who has just left BBC drama Our Girl
However, she could be pipped to the post by former Coronation Street actress Michelle, who is reportedly Keith’s pick for the job.
Keith previously said: ‘Michelle is number one. She’s a Northerner and very down to earth.’
Earlier this month Laura was challenged by Keith to drink a glass of wine through a straw while upside down and doing a headstand on Celebrity Juice.
Oosh! Earlier this month Laura was challenged by Keith to drink a glass of wine through a straw while upside down and doing a headstand on Celebrity Juice
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