Holly Willoughby is said to be taking a hiatus from driving following an incident where she collided with a scooter rider near her residence in London last August. The incident resulted in the rider sustaining a fractured neck and broken toe. The 44-year-old television personality, known for hosting popular shows such as “This Morning” and “Dancing on Ice,” admitted to driving without due care and attention during a court hearing at Lavender Hill Magistrates Court in Battersea in December.
Although Holly did not attend the court in person, her defense representative, Aisling Byrnes, informed the court that Holly, charged under her married name Baldwin, had a momentary lapse of judgment. Byrnes emphasized that the incident was not caused by excessive speed or adverse weather conditions. She highlighted that this error was uncharacteristic for Holly, who has a spotless driving record and is regarded as a person of exemplary character. Byrnes mentioned that Holly was deeply apologetic, immediately assisted the injured individual by offering her phone and water, and stayed at the scene until emergency services arrived.
Following her admission of guilt, Holly was fined £1,653 by the judge and received six penalty points on her driving license. Additionally, she was required to cover £130 in prosecution expenses and a victim surcharge of £661. The impact of the incident has reportedly left Holly feeling traumatized and unsettled, leading her to list her £25,000 Mini Cooper, involved in the accident, for sale and opt for a break from driving.
According to sources cited by The Sun, Holly has engaged a chauffeur service to regain her confidence in driving. The source disclosed that Holly was deeply affected by the accident and has enlisted the help of a car dealer to sell her Mini Cooper promptly, seeking a fresh start.
The media personality, currently not appearing on any television programs for the first time in two decades, was observed entering a chauffeur-driven vehicle near her home. The Mirror has reached out to Holly’s representatives for additional comments on the situation.
This decision to abstain from driving marks another setback for Holly, who recently sold her £6 million family home in Barnes, Southwest London, due to a harrowing kidnap scheme aimed at her. The individual behind the scheme, security guard Gavin Plumb, has since been sentenced to life imprisonment.
In response to the security threat, Holly decided to depart from “This Morning” in October 2023 after hosting the ITV show for 14 years, taking extra precautions to safeguard herself and her family. She shared the news with her followers on Instagram, expressing gratitude to the show’s team and loyal viewers for their support over the years.
Reports indicate that Holly has acquired a larger £8 million residence in London with enhanced security measures. Her family, including her husband Dan Baldwin, a TV producer, and their three children, have reportedly relocated to the new property.