Dan and me need a 2nd honeymoon ..adults only!
SUNDAY MIRROR And Schofield’s NOT joining us
HOLLY Willoughby is planning a second honeymoon with husband Dan – and her on-screen ‘hubby’ Phillip Schofield is definitely not welcome.
The This Morning presenter, who celebrates her tenth wedding anniversary next year, says she and Dan haven’t been away on their own since their kids were born. When they do go on a family holiday, Phil and his wife Steph usually join them.
Holly said: “I think we might have an adultonly holiday, almost l ike a second honeymoon.
“I don’t think we’re going to renew our vows next year, though.
“My mum and dad renewed theirs on their 25th.
“Me and my sister were old enough to enjoy being part of their day. It’s a lovely thing to do so maybe one day.
Holly, who has three children with TV producer Dan – Harry, seven, Belle, five and Chester, two – says she is glad she doesn’t have to navigate the modern dating scene.
“I couldn’t cope, I don’t actually know what I would do. I feel sorry for people dating now because it’s like when you have too much choice of anything, you never know what’s the right thing to do.
“It’s really sad that dating is all based on looks because that doesn’t last long.
“Dan and I were friends for ages, then I realised I fancied him, but we were working together so we kept it secret from everyone for about six months.”
And she plans to make sure she bring her own sons up to be good boyfriends for when it’s their turn to start dating. Referring to her new dating show where parents answer questions from their grown-up children’s potential partners, Holly says of her own kids: “I definitely won’t embarrass them. I say this now, but I wouldn’t do it intentionally. “Although the eldest two are only seven and five, I think you need to teach them about relationships now, as in friendships, how they react to people, how certain people don’t make them feel very good. “I think having relationships is something they learn from this age onwards. You’ve got to build them up into strong little characters so when they get to dating age they’re not going to take any nonsense or stick with anyone who makes them feel crap. My sons will be nice to women. You can’t control every aspect of them, but I know they will be a nice person and have a nice heart. As long as my kids are happy and find someone who is kind, that’s all I want for them, someone who is really kind and loves them.” She admits that they will probably get their hearts broken along the way, but says: “You need that roundness in life so that when you eventually meet the one, you’ve felt all those emotions and you know you’re ready to settle down. “Would I step in if I thought it was a really bad situation that was harmful or detrimental? Of course I would.” Holly, who also presents Celebrity Juice with on-screen partner Phil, is in high demand on screen and off. But she says: “I think I’ve got a good work/life balance because otherwise I would change it.”
■Meet the Parents is on ITV on Saturdays, 7pm