First look at Holly Willoughby in Midsomer Murders as she's given ironic role

23 August 2023 , 07:46

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First look at Holly Willoughby in Midsomer Murders as she's given ironic role

Holly Willoughby's cameo on Midsomer Murders has finally been teased with the star seemingly playing a version of herself on the ITV drama.

The This Morning presenter's acting stint was discussed on Good Morning Britain earlier today, with hosts Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley playing a clip from the drama ahead of its return to our screens this Sunday. The episode was actually filmed two years ago, with the mum-of-three speaking about her cameo in 2021.

"I thought it was just interesting people would turn to a series about murder and death for escapism. People have found it a joyous escape from the horrors of real life," Holly said around the time of filming. "My episode involves a murder mystery country house party weekend. Barnaby and Winter turn up to investigate. Everyone is trapped on this island with a murderer."

Holly's acting debut is almost finally ready to be seen, two years on from filming. In a preview clip of Midsomer Murders shown on Good Morning Britain today, Holly can be seen sitting on a throne like seat while seeming being interviewed. "Is that the queen of daytime," one detective asks as he spots Holly's character, with his older colleague replying: "Gloria Hunniford? Are you sure?"

Holly Willoughby in the upcoming episode of Midsomer Murders

"That's Holly!" Richard declared once the clip ended, with Kate adding: "What's she doing cropping up in Midsomer?" Neil Dudgeon, who plays DCI John Barnaby in the ITV drama series, teased viewers and told the two presenters: "Well, she's sort of a friend of the show I suppose - she's a great fan of the show and we're always looking to broaden our casting net."

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Discussing Holly further, Neil added: "She was great, she was thoroughly professional. I think she was a bit nervous when she first arrived. She’s playing a character called Holly Willoughby, I wouldn’t like to say that it’s herself." It was later revealed Holly's scenes were filmed two years ago and a further two series of Midsomer Murders have been filmed since.

Holly described her filming stint on Midsomer Murders as one of the best days of her life back in 2021, with the star's friends and family rushing to praise her. "Everybody I know who has watched all of Midsomer says it’s one of their favourites we’ve ever made,' Holly said at the time. "I said to them 'Thanks for having me, it was one of the best days of my life'."

'Gloria Hunniford? Are you sure?'

Discussing filming her cameo on This Morning in 2021, Holly told her then co-host Phillip Schofield it took her almost 25 takes before she was able to deliver her scripted words out properly. "It wasn't 'take one', put it that way... Or 'take two' or 'take 10',” she shared on the ITV show. "Around about take 25 I got the words out but it's fine."

Holly had been left speechless in March 2021 as she was surprised live on This Morning with the news she had landed a guest role on the detective drama. Midsomer Murders stars Neil Dudgeon and Nick Hendrix were the ones to ask the presenter to guest star in an upcoming episode.

"Yes! Of course, I say yes. I have seen every single episode since it started way back when. Are you serious?" Holly exclaimed, immediately accepting the offer. She went on to joke about her acting abilities, quipping: "I mean you are going to have to kill me off really quickly because I am terrible at acting. I don't know what I am going to do."

Zoe Delaney