Television presenter Holly Willoughby has formally pleaded guilty to a driving offence after a collision in West London that left a man with a broken neck.
Details of the West London Incident
The incident occurred on August 28 earlier this year in the Barnes area of West London. Willoughby, the former This Morning host, was driving her Mini Cooper near her then-home, a £3 million mansion in Richmond. Footage presented to the court showed she failed to indicate while turning right into a side street.
At that moment, a scooter rider was overtaking her vehicle, leading to a direct collision. The male rider sustained serious injuries, which were later confirmed to include a fractured neck vertebra, a broken toe, and other related trauma.
Court Hearing and Sentencing
At a hearing held at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court on December 2, Willoughby entered her plea. She was charged under her married name, Holly Baldwin—having wed TV producer Daniel Baldwin in 2007—but is widely known professionally by her maiden name.
The presenter pleaded guilty via post to the charge of driving without due care and attention and did not appear in person. In sentencing, the magistrates imposed six penalty points on her driving licence. She was also ordered to pay a fine of £1,653, along with £130 in prosecution costs and a £661 victim surcharge.
Defence Statement and Remorse
Willoughby's defence barrister, Aisling Byrnes, addressed the court on her client's behalf. She stated that Willoughby felt "full remorse" for the incident, which was not aggravated by speed or poor weather conditions.
Byrnes emphasised that the error was "completely out of character" for someone with an otherwise clean driving record and exemplary character. She added that Willoughby immediately left her vehicle after the crash, offered the injured man her phone and water, and remained at the scene until emergency services arrived.
The case emerges during a period of transition for the high-profile presenter, who recently moved from London to a new home following the prosecution of her stalker. While currently without a regular prime-time presenting role, she has been linked in media reports as a potential future host for shows like Strictly Come Dancing.
