TV Star Admits Careless Driving in London Crash
Holly Willoughby has been fined more than £2,400 and given six penalty points on her licence after admitting to driving without due care and attention during a collision that left a scooter rider with a fractured neck.
The television star, listed in court under her married name Holly Baldwin, did not attend the hearing at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, where she entered a guilty plea by post.
Momentary Lapse Led to Serious Injury
Prosecutors told the court that Willoughby was driving her £25,000 Mini Cooper near her £3m London home when she turned right into a side street without indicating. At the same moment, a rider on a white Piaggio scooter was overtaking her at around 20mph.
Footage presented to magistrates showed the scooter being struck and the rider thrown violently to the road. He sustained a fractured neck and a broken toe.
In a written statement, the rider said he had been slowing for a red light when the Mini abruptly turned without warning. “This caused me to be thrown to the ground in the carriageway,” he told the court.
Willoughby “Horrified” After the Crash
Her lawyer, Aisling Byrnes, described the incident as a “momentary lapse in judgement” and said Willoughby was “horrified” to learn the rider had been seriously injured.
“She left her vehicle, went straight to the driver of the moped, offered him water and her phone, and remained at the scene until officers arrived,” Ms Byrnes said.
“She admitted guilt at the scene and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”
Magistrates Issue Fine and Penalty Points
Magistrate David Charnley noted that Willoughby had cooperated fully but emphasised the seriousness of the lapse:
“There was no use of vehicle indicators, and mirrors were either not checked or she did not see the motorbike rider.”
Willoughby was ordered to pay a total of £2,444, including court costs, within 14 days, and received six points on her driving licence.
A Difficult Period for the TV Presenter
The charge follows a turbulent few years for the former This Morning presenter. Willoughby stepped down from the ITV show in 2023 after a public fallout with long-time co-host Phillip Schofield following revelations about his relationship with a younger colleague.
She was later targeted in a chilling plot by stalker Gavin Plumb, who was convicted in 2023 of planning to kidnap, rape, and murder her. Willoughby told the court the scheme had left her “traumatised” and deeply shaken. Plumb received a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years.
Plans for a Television Comeback
Willoughby made a brief return to screens this year on Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls, although the show was axed after one series. Industry insiders claim she is preparing a “spectacular” comeback and is being considered as a potential replacement for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing.
Holly Willoughby Fined After Crash That Broke Rider’s Neck
Holly Willoughby has been fined more than £2,400 and given six penalty points on her licence after admitting to driving without due care and attention during a collision that left a scooter rider with a fractured neck.
The television star, listed in court under her married name Holly Baldwin, did not attend the hearing at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, where she entered a guilty plea by post.
Momentary Lapse Led to Serious Injury
Prosecutors told the court that Willoughby was driving her £25,000 Mini Cooper near her £3m London home when she turned right into a side street without indicating. At the same moment, a rider on a white Piaggio scooter was overtaking her at around 20mph.
Footage presented to magistrates showed the scooter being struck and the rider thrown violently to the road. He sustained a fractured neck and a broken toe.
In a written statement, the rider said he had been slowing for a red light when the Mini abruptly turned without warning. “This caused me to be thrown to the ground in the carriageway,” he told the court.
Willoughby “Horrified” After the Crash
Her lawyer, Aisling Byrnes, described the incident as a “momentary lapse in judgement” and said Willoughby was “horrified” to learn the rider had been seriously injured.
“She left her vehicle, went straight to the driver of the moped, offered him water and her phone, and remained at the scene until officers arrived,” Ms Byrnes said.
“She admitted guilt at the scene and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”
Magistrates Issue Fine and Penalty Points
Magistrate David Charnley noted that Willoughby had cooperated fully but emphasised the seriousness of the lapse:
“There was no use of vehicle indicators, and mirrors were either not checked or she did not see the motorbike rider.”
Willoughby was ordered to pay a total of £2,444, including court costs, within 14 days, and received six points on her driving licence.
A Difficult Period for the TV Presenter
The charge follows a turbulent few years for the former This Morning presenter. Willoughby stepped down from the ITV show in 2023 after a public fallout with long-time co-host Phillip Schofield following revelations about his relationship with a younger colleague.
She was later targeted in a chilling plot by stalker Gavin Plumb, who was convicted in 2023 of planning to kidnap, rape, and murder her. Willoughby told the court the scheme had left her “traumatised” and deeply shaken. Plumb received a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years.
Plans for a Television Comeback
Willoughby made a brief return to screens this year on Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls, although the show was axed after one series. Industry insiders claim she is preparing a “spectacular” comeback and is being considered as a potential replacement for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on Strictly Come Dancing.
