TV

Holly Willoughby defends taking kids out of school for I’m A Celebrity trip

Star has a tutor lined up for kids

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Holly Willoughby has defended her decision to take her children out of school while she hosts I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The TV star, who will present the show alongside Declan Donnelly, is being joined in Australia by her family during the stay.

It means Harry, nine, Belle, seven, and four-year-old Chester will be away from school for about a month.

Holly Willoughby, This Morning
Holly attempts a Bushtucker Trial on This Morning (Credit: ITV)

Read more: Holly Willoughby shares rare photo of her children

But speaking to The Sun, Holly said she had the blessing of their teachers and had arranged for a tutor Down Under to keep her kids on track with their homework because they had “loads to do”.

She said: “I’ve had to be really clear with them, they can play for a couple of hours but none of us are on holiday. We’re all doing work.

Read more: Holly Willoughby shows off farewell gifts ahead of I’m A Celebrity

“The headmaster was amazing. If the kids couldn’t come then it would have been a completely different ball game and I would have had to have a long, hard think about it.

“I don’t think I would have been able to do my job properly if I couldn’t have seen them.”

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning
Holly has taken a break from This Morning to do I’m A Celeb (Credit: ITV)

Her TV producer husband Dan Baldwin will be jetting to and from Australia from the UK during the series. She will also be joined by her parents.

Holly previously said on This Morning: “You’re sort of working out the logistics of how you’re going to go, and how long for and taking the kids – the kids are coming with me – and I was speaking to the school.

“And then Dan and my mum and dad are coming out for a bit. And then suddenly it’s all sorted logistically.”

The presenter is afraid of “everything” (Credit: ITV)

Ahead of flying out to the jungle, Holly shared a rare photo of her three children.

She posted it on Instagram with the caption: “Shake time,” alongside three milkshake emojis.

Holly is hosting the show as a temporary replacement for Dec’s best friend Ant McPartlin after he decided to take a step back from television to deal with personal issues.

View this post on Instagram

Shake time… 🥤🥤🥤

A post shared by Holly Willoughby (@hollywilloughby) on

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It is the first time he has missed the show in its 16-year run.

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! begins on ITV on Sunday, November 18.

Is Holly right to take her kids with her? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor