Holly Willoughby reunites with Leigh Francis after quitting his controversial panel show Celebrity Juice - following comedian admitting he hadn't seen her since major ITV drama
Holly Willoughby reunited with her former co-star Keith Lemon as she shared a heartwarming snap of the pair together.
The presenter, 44, and the comedian, 52, worked alongside each other on controversial ITV2 comedy panel show Celebrity Juice from 2008 to 2020.
The pair went through a period of not speaking for several months in 2023 as Holly dealt with the fallout from Phillip Schofield 's departure from This Morning.
Keith has also had to contend with his bawdy brand of character comedy being criticised by more sensitive modern audiences, saying it is now 'going out of fashion'.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Holly shared a photo with Keith, whose real name is Leigh Francis, smiling together in a bar.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
Alongside the post, she wrote: 'Caught up with this one today... love you @leighfrancis'.
Celebrity Juice became a no-holds-barred playground for celebrity guests who were more than willing to leave their dignity at the door.
The show debuted in 2008 and was cancelled in 2022, which Keith has partly attributed to changing attitudes around comedy.
The comedian has had to face the reality that over the years, younger generations humour changes and it's become increasingly harder to win over younger viewers.
Speaking to The Sun, the presenter confessed 'nothing is acceptable anymore' and just like fashion, comedy tastes change.
He told the publication: 'Now, nothing is acceptable any more — we had 'the rules were the rules' in past times, and they're different now, so of course there are things back then that you wouldn't do any more.
'Now, nothing is acceptable any more — we had 'the rules were the rules' in past times, and they're different now, so of course there are things back then that you wouldn't do any more.
'You don't set out to offend anyone, you just set out to make people laugh, but for me, now when I come up with an idea, it has to be a straight one, with just a bit of silliness.
'Quite a lot of comedians are now presenting straight shows, entertainment programmes that are funny, just maybe not as funny as a sketch show.'
He confessed that he thinks it is a 'shame' for viewers because some still want to watch that old-school silly comedy that was peak television in the noughties.
Leigh admitted that comedy will 'always offend someone,' but he feels it is all 'being taken too seriously.'
'At the end of the day, you're always going to upset someone — but it's just comedy and, in these modern times, I feel that it's all being taken too seriously', he added.
He then revealed that because he has dimmed down his dramatics in comedy he is frequently asked if he has 'gone woke?' to which he explained that he doesn't understand what that meant.
While on the show together, Keith frequently referred to Holly by her old nickname Holly Willoughbooby.
The former children's TV presenter got the moniker when she started to work on primetime shows in the Noughties, and the mother-of-three admitted she was 'proud' of the cheeky nickname.
Holly credited Keith for coining the term, telling the Standard: 'In all seriousness, it's very nice and I'm proud that a mother who has breastfed children can have that accolade…if you can call it that.'
However, she ultimately distanced herself from the show when she left in 2020 and was replaced by Emily Atack.
Her and Keith remained friends however, with Holly attending his 50th birthday party in April 2023.
They didn't see each other for several months after however as Holly became embroiled in the drama surrounding her This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield when he stepped down after admitting to an affair wiht a younger male colleague.
That same year, she became the target of obsessed security guard Gavin Plumb who was convicted for plotting to kidnap and murder her.
Speaking about a quieter period in their friendship, Keith told MailOnline in September 2023: 'The last time I saw Holly was on my birthday. I haven't seen her since all the telly drama. April was the last time I saw her in real life.
'I just text people and go, 'Are you ok?' I reached out to everyone.'
For the iconic show, each week, two celebrity teams were led by regular captains Holly and Fearne.
They then would go head-to-head, tackling ridiculous challenges that often left them covered in food, squirming in embarrassment, or laughing until they cried.
From cringe-worthy confessions to unexpected antics, Celebrity Juice was the show where anything could happen and was seen as the perfect late-night fix.
Keith Lemon, the outrageous alter ego of comedian Leigh, was born out of Francis' creative and absurd humor, blending influences from his personal life, pop culture, and his knack for embodying eccentric characters.
Before Keith Lemon, Francis had already gained popularity with other characters, especially Avid Merrion, from his previous show Bo' Selecta.
Leigh based parts of Keith's personality on people he knew in his hometown of Leeds, as well as his love for 1980s pop culture.
The name 'Lemon' came from a friend Leigh had who was called Keith and shared some of the same cheeky, over-the-top personality traits.
The character of Keith Lemon debuted in Keith Lemon's Very Brilliant World Tour in 2008, where he portrayed himself as a fictional version of a successful entrepreneur and ladies' man.
It comes as the ITV Daytime schedule is undergoing a major shake-up.
Lorraine and Loose Women have been axed for half the year and Lorraine's runtime has been slashed by 30 minutes, as ITV Daytime bosses announced huge cuts with job losses in excess of 220.
Host Lorraine Kelly faced the brunt of the cuts with Good Morning Britain now taking her 9-10am slot for 22 weeks of the year.
For the remaining 30 weeks of the year, Lorraine will present five days a week, meaning her Friday stand-in presenters Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard are no longer needed for the show.
Lorraine's show has also been slashed in half, now running for just 30 minutes from 9:30am to 10am.
ITV sources told MailOnline that they have decided to cut resources on their daytime schedule so that the network can invest in more drama programmes.
One said: 'There is a need to cost save but also so that the right money can go to the right shows and with everything getting more expensive these things have to be looked at.'
The source added: 'Christine and Ranvir remain part of the ITV daytime family.'
This Morning, whose presenters include Alison Hammond, Ben Shepherd, and Cat Deeley, remains untouched.
It was also announced today that ITV Studios will no longer make Good Morning Britain but instead it will be made by ITN - the organisation which makes ITV News.
That means that there could be a merger between the staff working on GMB - which is hosted by Susanna Reid - and the channel's news bulletins.
Meanwhile, ITV said that it is unlikely any on-screen talent will be axed.
An ITV source insisted that the changes have not be influenced by any of the show's performances, saying: 'We recognise daytime is a very popular genre and these changes and efficiencies are about preserving the future of the genre, whilst also funding additional investment in dramas like Mr Bates vs The Post Office and in coverage of the biggest sporting events like next year's football World Cup as well as the UK's biggest reality and entertainment shows.
'This has nothing to do with under performance, the bosses are very pleased with all four shows. This Morning and GMB have escaped unscathed, their social media footprint is booming.'
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV's Media and Entertainment Division, explained the changes: 'Daytime is a really important part of what we do, and these scheduling and production changes will enable us to continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust as well generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.
'These changes also allow us to consolidate our news operations and expand our national, international and regional news output and to build upon our proud history of trusted journalism at a time when our viewers need accurate, unbiased news coverage more than ever.'
Lygo added: 'I recognise that our plans will have an impact on staff off screen in our Daytime production teams, and we will work with ITV Studios and ITN as they manage these changes to produce the shows differently from next year, and support them through this transition.
'Daytime has been a core element of ITV's schedule for over 40 years and these changes will set ITV up to continue to bring viewers award winning news, views and discussion as we enter our eighth decade.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Shoppers praise Cat Deeley's 'flattering' and 'comfortable' swimsuit
Cat Deeley showcased her sensational figure in a black swimsuit while on holiday in Marbella, and shoppers have hailed the Boden piece as 'extremely comfortable' This Morning's Cat Deeley turned heads as she showed off her pins in a 'flattering' black swimsuit while soaking up the sun in Marbella with hubby Patrick Kielty and their lads, Milo and James. And we've found the exact one-piece she sported for the occasion. Looking every bit the glamourous TV presenter, 48-year-old Cat wowed in the sleek black costume during some paddleboarding with her son Milo. She shared a snap of the sweet moment on Instagram, and while the picture was from a distance, we've sussed out the exact cossie the mum-of-two wore for the occasion. Cat rocked the Evia Ruffle Swimsuit in classic black from celebrity-loved brand, Boden. Priced at £80, it's beloved by shoppers for its 'flattering' fit, boasting lightly padded cups and Powermesh fabric for a slimming effect. It caters to various figures, available in sizes 6-20 and offers both regular and long lengths, reports OK!. Boden's design turns the staple black swimsuit into a fashion statement with chic ruffles that have earned it rave reviews. One customer said: "Looking forward to wearing this stylish swimsuit to the beach this summer. The ruffles are a nice added detail. Great quality and fit." Some swimming costumes aren't good for much other than lounging by the pool, but the Boden number seems to be just as suitable for sunbathing as it is for water activities like Cat's paddleboarding. Another customer remarked: "This suit is so comfortable and stylish. I purchased the Navy stripe for spring break and it was perfect for both lounging, being active in the ocean/pool, and boating. The suit provides coverage without looking matronly. I am eyeing some of the new prints." In addition to the black version, the swimsuit also comes in tulip red and five summer-ready prints, including cherries and lemons, or a green and pink floral design. However, some wearers have complained that the costume is a bit too youthful. One four-star comment read: "Cute but made me look too young. This item fits a tad small. I'm 5'3 and 118 lb. It was cute, and fit well, but something about the ruffles and pattern just didn't fit my personality." Another person wrote: "This is a great swimsuit. It fits beautifully, is extremely comfortable, and is really flattering. I'm getting it in the black as well." Elsewhere, New Look is offering this Black Tummy Control Crinkle Textured Blanket Stitch Frill Sleeve Swimsuit for £23.24 in the sale, while the Black Waterfall Frill Plunge Tummy Control Swimsuit at Next is £38. But shoppers can also save on the Boden piece. The retailer is currently offering 15% off new styles with the code JM7D, which reduces the price to £68. It seems that Cat might still be daydreaming of sandy beaches after returning to This Morning this week donning Next's Black Hardware Detail Halter Top, priced at £39. It stirred a bit of controversy among viewers, with some suggesting it looked a tad too beachy for daytime telly. However, for those planning a seaside getaway this summer, Cat's outfit could be the ideal choice for lounging by the pool or beach. Shop her Next top here, or check out the Boden swimsuit here.
The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
I interviewed Love Island's Sophie Lee weeks after her ‘face fell off' – she's overcome ‘constant' pain & a month in ICU
LOVE Islanders are notorious for scrubbing their social media in the days leading up to the Villa, leaving only the most polished snaps up on their feeds. But open Sophie Lee 's page even today and the photos pinned to the top, from 2019 and 2020, show her with huge swollen scars protruding from her face. 10 10 Personally I'm not surprised. As someone who interviewed Sophie twice right in the thick of her struggles, I know she's different from some of the ultra-superficial women who grace our screens in their bikinis. When I first spoke to Manchester-based Sophie, she was 23, and it was days before Christmas 2018. Fabulous was one of the first publications to share her story with the world. Airy and bright during our chat, you'd have no idea what she was going through without visual proof. Her attitude was amazing, especially for someone so young. A professional fire dancer, Sophie was permanently scarred when an air-con unit blew flames back into her face in a freak accident in April 2018. After her face went up in flames, she spent a month in intensive care, and emerged from the trauma with a whole new attitude on life. In her own words, the accident made Sophie 'toughen up and grow a thicker skin'. She told me: 'I just have to accept myself for me. I think sometimes people stare because they don't know how to ask. It's not intentionally rude, I think they're just curious and don't know what to say. "I never mind if people ask about my scars, then I can educate more people about what happened.' Love Island weight loss plans, makeovers and even non-surgical tweakments are now common-place among the contestants, all religiously documented on social media as the competitive TV show enters its 10th year. All Stars' Gabby Allen even flogged her pre-villa fitness plan when she emerged as the show's most recent winner. Sophie, who had a five-figure following as an influencer well before Love Island came knocking, wasn't immune to body confidence concerns before her accident. She told me: 'In school I went through that phase of 'oh, I'm massive, I'm this and that,' because I think you naturally do when you're that age. 'Everyone's judging each other, you're growing boobs, you're like 'oh, I don't know what this is'. I think everyone kind of has body issues going through high school. 'All my friends had big boobs or had legs, and I've always been a bit up and down on the scale of my weight. 'Especially with the industry I was in (of dance and performing), I was always scrutinised for how you look. "But with this accident it's crazy. Because the one time I feel like I should be most body conscious, I'm probably the happiest I've ever been." 10 Despite early signs her facial scars were healing well, Sophie later developed dramatic keloids on her chin. Keloids are benign tumours which grow in areas of trauma and are more common in people with olive or black skin, or in Sophie's case having Chinese heritage. She said: "Dancing's all about getting dressed up, glitz and glam, I've always loved that. Don't get me wrong, I'm not myself and I know I'll never be myself again. "That's something I have to accept and it has been hard to accept that - but also without this scar I would be dead. That's the way I look at it, I don't look at it as a burden.' We spoke for a second time in June 2019, just weeks after Sophie had ground-breaking cryo surgery. Never one to shy away from the gruesome details, or hide behind edited pics, Sophie's PR pitched the story to me with an email entitled 'My face came off in my hands.' Explaining the NHS-funded op at the time, Sophie said: "The scar started to die and then my face basically fell off. Liquid nitrogen was pumped in to kill it. "At first it went massive, like it had been pumped up with water. It tripled in size, it was horrendous. 'In hospital I just felt like a giant slug, I couldn't move or do anything. "Then it just started leaking liquid nitrogen. Over the space of two months, it was starting to dry out and peel away. "It was horrendous, the skin was dying and it was on my face. I couldn't really move my neck, it was just so painful. The scar started to die and then my face basically fell off. At first it went massive, like it had been pumped up with water. It tripled in size, it was horrendous Sophie Lee "When it actually detached I couldn't feel anything, because it had already died. "But at the start it was really raw, fresh skin. Showering was unbearable. "For a good month I couldn't really do anything. I had to change the dressings at least twice a day - they were soaking wet all the time. "I couldn't leave the house because I had to take so many dressings and pads with me." 10 She now keeps her dead skin in the freezer, in a small Tupperware box, explaining it's "next to the peas, no big deal". Sophie, who's been celibate for eight months, had the treatment in March 2019, as her tumours threatened to engulf her face. She told me: "Keloid scarring is a form of benign tumour, it was going to carry on growing and slowly overtake my face. "It was very painful and becoming a big burden. I had started to lose movement on my neck, because it was growing so rapidly. "The scars got so big you couldn't see my neck, it came down to my chin. "Because of my ethnicity, being Chinese, it was really angry and violent. "The longer I left it, the bigger the keloids would have gotten. I was in so much pain and it was starting to alter my expressions on my face." Sophie always wanted to turn what had happened to her into a positive, raising awareness of injuries even in her early 20s. She said: 'I've got a younger sister who's 16 years old, that was the age when I was comparing myself a lot. 'And I just want her to know that, your big sister can still do it and represent girls, I want her to feel proud of me. 'She looks up to a lot of my friends, looks up to me and I want to be that good example for her. 'It's important to mould the next generation, not the current generation. I want to put them in a good mindset.' Despite Sophie's sunny disposition, she was clearly hugely affected by what had happened to her, which may be why it's taken her six years to say yes to Love Island (I'd be stunned if they hadn't approached her for previous years). She told me in 2019: "I try not to think negatively, but I am in pain and you do think 'when is this going to be over?' I'm constantly suffering. "Even now I can't go outside when it's sunny without having to cover up my whole face, because it's fresh skin and I'll get burnt really fast. 'I wear a black mask to protect it. It's healed underneath but just to be safe. "I don't want to risk getting burnt, it's not worth it. I'm still healing. "But I am in the best hands and it's important to talk about the good and the bad, because that means I can help others in this situation. "I'm a normal person, I have feelings, I'm not just living this amazing life. I do have my down days, and it's OK to feel like that." As Sophie jets off to sunny Mallorca to enter the villa on Monday, where temperatures are reaching 32C, the lack of black mask will be a stark reminder of how far she has come.
The Sun
28 minutes ago
- The Sun
Who is Alima Gagigo and when is she joining Love Island 2025?
ALIMA Gagigo not only has brains and beauty — she's made the cut for the UK's biggest reality dating show. The Sun exclusively revealed the full line-up for Love Island 2025 — here's everything we know about Alima. 4 Who is Alima Gagigo? Alima Gagigo is a 23-year-old personal banker from Glasgow, who is set to star in Love Island 2025. She graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a degree in international business. Alima proudly posted about her achievement online, posing with a bunch of flowers on her graduation day. She also shares images from her holidays around the world on social media, including updates from destinations such as Lisbon, Mykonos and Morocco. One snap shows the rising reality star hanging out at Wayne Lineker 's Ocean Beach Club in Ibiza. She clearly left a good impression on the notorious party animal, who is now following her on Instagram. Alima also loves a trip to London for a bouji dinner and cocktails with pals. As of June 6, 2025, the Barclays employee boasts almost 8,000 Instagram followers — a number that will surely skyrocket during her stint on the show. Speaking about her chances on Love Island, Alima said: "I'm a good flirt. "I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. Love Island 2025: Top villa snog spots "If they get it right, they can get my number. "But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. "I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway." When is Alima Gagigo Joining Love Island 2025? Premiering at 9pm on Monday, June 9, 2025, Alima is part of the starting cast for the show's 12th season. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number Love Island 2025 kicks off on ITV2 during the week following the Late May Bank Holiday — one of the show's traditions. Rather than joining later on as a bombshell, Alima is one of the initial batch of Islanders entering the villa at the very start of the season. Maya Jama flew out to Mallorca on May 26, 2025, sharing videos of herself dancing on Instagram along with the caption: 'On holiday until I start Love Island.' The Love Island host spilled the beans about the latest series to her followers on TikTok, saying: "Do I even know who the Islanders are? "Do I know what time and date I'm flying to Mallorca? No, but guess what? "We are so back. We are so f***ing back. I'm really excited, guys. The sun is out!" She added: "Summer Love Island 's about to happen." Maya also said she wants the show to be packed with more 'twists and turns' in the trailer for this year's series. She said: "This year Love Island needs something bigger, something bolder, I want ideas. "This year I want more drama, more bombshells, more break-ups, more makeups. "I want more twists, I want more twists than ever."
