Holly Willoughby has made her latest return to presenting with the launch of Together, a new YouTube lifestyle series that blends cooking, conversation and celebrity guests. The debut episode features actor and food enthusiast Stanley Tucci as the pair prepare a simple Italian pasta dish while chatting in an informal setting.
The move marks a significant shift in Willoughby’s career as she embraces online platforms after years as one of Britain’s most recognizable daytime television presenters. Rather than following a traditional studio format, the series focuses on relaxed discussions, food, fashion and lifestyle topics aimed at creating a more personal connection with viewers.
Critics split over the show’s debut
The first episode has generated sharply contrasting reactions from television critics.
Some reviewers argued that the nearly 45- to 50-minute running time made the programme feel slow, suggesting tighter editing would improve its pace. Others felt the cooking segments lacked enough substance to justify the extended format and questioned whether the series offered anything significantly different from other celebrity lifestyle productions currently available online.
Several commentators also drew comparisons with the growing number of celebrity-led lifestyle shows, highlighting the challenge of standing out in an increasingly crowded digital space.
Supporters see room for the format to grow
Despite the criticism, some reviewers found positive signs in Willoughby’s more relaxed approach. They pointed to moments of spontaneous humour with Tucci and suggested the presenter appeared more comfortable when conversations moved away from carefully scripted exchanges.
Reviewers also noted that, as with many new online productions, the series could evolve as future episodes establish a clearer identity and rhythm.
A new chapter after television
The YouTube project represents another step in Willoughby’s career following her departure from This Morning. By moving to a digital-first platform, she joins a growing number of high-profile television personalities experimenting with direct-to-audience content outside traditional broadcasting.
The debut episode also reflected a noticeably more relaxed tone than viewers were accustomed to during her daytime television career, with more informal language and conversation than would typically appear on mainstream UK daytime programming.
Early audience numbers remain modest
Initial viewing figures suggest the series has made a relatively quiet start. Reports indicate the premiere attracted tens of thousands of views during its first day online, well below the audiences Willoughby once reached on national television. Even so, additional celebrity guests have already been announced, giving the channel further opportunities to build momentum over the coming weeks.
What comes next
Whether Together becomes a long-term success may depend on how the format develops in future episodes. With more celebrity guests scheduled to appear, the series now faces the challenge of attracting a larger online audience while defining a distinctive identity in an increasingly competitive lifestyle entertainment market.
