'Dan's struggled to see her so down'

A source tells new how Holly Willoughby can count on husband Dan Baldwin's continued support after her departure from This Morning last week

- Rhianna Benson

Holly Willoughby’s sensational resignation from This Morning sent shockwaves through the nation last week.

The 42-year-old presenter broke the news on Tuesday in an emotional statement posted to Instagram, in which she said, “I have to make this decision for me and my family,” before telling ITV fans, “I will miss you all so much.”

Now a source close to the Willoughby family exclusively told new that Holly’s looking at her exit from This Morning as an opportunity to strengthen her relationship with TV producer husband Dan Baldwin, despite this being the “toughest test” the couple have ever faced.

“Holly has been to hell and back over the last 12 months, and she has come extremely close to breaking point in recent weeks,” our source explained. “But Dan has been her saviour throughout all the emotional turmoil and the Phillip Schofield backlash she’s faced this year.”

They added, “Neither of them could have predicted the events of the last few months. Phillip’s scandal and Holly’s subsequent decline in popularity shook them both as individuals. Holly’s confidence was knocked and Dan struggled to see her feeling down. Now that Holly has stepped back from a career she adores, they’ll face their toughest test yet as a couple.”

Our source insists the pair – who married in 2007 and have three children, Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and Chester, nine – are bound to bounce back stronger than ever, having been through “so much together this year”.