Thursday nights in the late 2000s were all about tuning in to Celebrity Juice for laughs, chaos, and the antics of host Keith Lemon.
But while his outrageous humor often stole the spotlight, many viewers tuned in for the real stars of the show: the team captains Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby.
The pair first crossed paths as teenagers, both breaking into the world of children’s television.
Over the years, they forged a friendship that eventually carried them through co-hosting gigs like Fearne and Holly Go Dating in 2007, before Celebrity Juice launched in 2008.
Their chemistry on screen quickly made them TV’s golden girls, but their friendship has experienced its fair share of ups and downs.
Growing Apart and Finding Their Own Paths
After years of laughter and shared experiences, Fearne left Celebrity Juice in December 2018 to focus on other projects, including her podcasting and writing.
Holly stayed on until 2020, continuing with her TV commitments and launching her wellness brand, Wylde Moon.
As both women pursued different paths, they reportedly drifted apart.
Social media snapshots of Holly with her other showbiz friends often saw Fearne noticeably absent, highlighting how their once-close friendship had quietly faded.
Reconnecting Through Wellness and Life Challenges
Their reconnection reportedly began in October 2024, fueled by a shared interest in wellness, meditation, and holistic living.
Sources said Fearne had embraced a holistic lifestyle, and Holly soon followed suit, with her Wylde Moon venture aligning their priorities once more.
The timing couldn’t have been more significant. Holly had faced a turbulent year, leaving This Morning and dealing with the shocking threat from security guard Gavin Plumb, while also ending her friendship with co-star Phillip Schofield following his public scandal.
Amid these challenges, spending time with Fearne brought comfort and familiarity.
A Nostalgic Reunion on the Final Celebrity Juice Episode
The pair’s most recent public reunion occurred in 2022 during the filming of the final ever Celebrity Juice episode with Keith Lemon.
Holly shared Instagram snaps of the evening, including a playful selfie with Keith and Fearne. She wrote:
“If I don’t see ya’ through the week, I’ll see ya’ through the window… it’s been a pleasure.”
Fearne responded with a series of red heart emojis, and both paid tribute to their time on the show.
Fearne shared memories of her ten years as a team captain and her love for the hilarious, chaotic moments that defined the programme.
A Friendship Built to Last
Despite their busy careers and time apart, Holly and Fearne have always described their bond as resilient.
In a 2010 interview, Holly said:
“Fearne and I have that sort of friendship where we’re always so busy that when we see each other, it’s great and we can pick up where we left off. There is no guilt, no resentment.”
Fearne added:
“Because we do the same sort of job, we understand if the other one doesn’t phone back for a week.”
Standing By Each Other in Difficult Times
This week, their renewed friendship was on display again as Holly showed public support for Fearne following the shocking death of her ex, Ian Watkins, in prison.
Watkins, the former Lostprophets singer, had been serving 29 years for child sex offences and was reportedly murdered by another inmate.
Fearne took to Instagram to share reflections on shame and personal growth, writing:
“Here are four things that I learned this week… so many of us feel shame but we assume it’s just us… but it’s not.”
Holly commented underneath with a heartfelt message:
“Love you cotton chops,” reaffirming the strength of their enduring friendship.
Looking Ahead
From teenage TV beginnings to navigating fame, personal challenges, and life’s unexpected hardships, Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton’s friendship has been tested but ultimately endured.
Their recent reconnection highlights the importance of shared experiences, mutual understanding, and being there for each other through life’s highs and lows.