Holly Willoughby makes first public appearance after This Morning exit

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It's Holly's first public appearance since leaving This Morning (Image: PA)

Holly Willoughby has made a return to the spotlight weeks after her sudden exit from This Morning after 154 years.

The TV presenter, who had retreated from the limelight following a year of drama, was centre stage for the Save the Children Christmas campaign as she donned a sustainable festive jumper.

The 42-year-old star joined a host of other celebrities to plug Christmas Jumper Day in December. The annual festive fundraiser asks the public to put on a sweater and donate £2 (or £1 for children) to the UK charity, which globally supports children to get access to medicine, food and education. It is not known if the campaign was shot before or after her decision to leave This Morning was announced.

Holly said: "Christmas Jumper Day is a really fabulous way of raising lots of money for Save the Children and it's so easy to get involved. Simply put on your favourite Christmas jumper on December 7 and donate £2. You don't even need a new jumper to take part, you can dig out an old knit that you've had for years or go to a charity shop and find a cool vintage one."

Holly Willoughby makes first public appearance after This Morning exit eiqruidtiqzuinvHolly joins a whole host of celebrities dressing up for Christmas (Jeff Moore/Save the Children)
Holly Willoughby makes first public appearance after This Morning exitShe's supporting Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day (Jeff Moore/Save the Children)

Christmas Jumper Day celebrated 10 years of fundraising last year, and has so far raised more than £35 million since launching in 2012. Also taking part in the fundraising push is former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs presenter Lauren Laverne and star of Netflix's Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, India Amarteifio.

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Will Best, host of ITV2's revamped Big Brother, former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene Phillips, The One Show host Alex Jones, Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway and presenter Katie Piper are also among the celebrities wearing the sweaters. The famous faces are modelling second-hand jumpers to encourage people to make sustainable choices when it comes to their fashion footprints.

Save the Children will distribute some of the jumpers to its charity shops across the country and is also urging the public to upcycle old jumpers to create new festive looks instead of purchasing new ones.

Amarteifio said: "I always took part in Save the Children's Christmas Jumper Day at school so I'm really excited to be supporting the campaign this year. Save the Children do amazing work in the UK and around the world, helping to give children the best futures and create a fairer world for them. I think we often underestimate children, but their brains are so vast.

"My usual Christmas consists of a long walk followed by Yorkshire puddings for both the main and dessert, which might sound a little odd but it's so good. I love to re-wear everything so I have lots of old jumpers to choose from. I also have some really cool vintage biker trousers from the 60s which are perfect for winter, I'll be wearing them lots this winter with my old Christmas jumpers."

The public is being asked to get together with friends, family, colleagues or classmates to wear jumpers on December 7 and donate to Save the Children.

Holly announced her decision to quit This Morning in a statement shared on her social media in a statement which read: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.

"To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so, so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together.

"Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day. Richard and Judy said 'we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers'. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive.

"To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. It's been an honour to just be part of it's story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much."

To find out more and sign up visit christmasjumperday.org.

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Charlotte McLaughlin

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