Turning on your TV on a Thursday night in the late noughties would have meant only one thing: cheering yourself up with an episode of Celebrity Juice.
And as well as Keith Lemon’s hilarious and sometimes risqué jokes, the main highlight of the show for many were the two team captains Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby.
The pair quickly became TV’s golden girls and forged a strong friendship off-screen, having first met as teenagers beginning their showbiz careers – years before signing up for Celebrity Juice.
Despite both working on the show together until 2018 and having years of shared experiences, when Fearne quit her role the two women were said to have grown apart.
Their friendship was then fairly non-existent for years, with Holly regularly posting snaps with her other showbiz pals where Fearne was noticeably absent, until they reportedly rekindled things in October 2024.
This week the pair then proved they have indeed reconnected as Holly sent her public support to Fearne after her ex Ian Watkins was killed in prison.
How noughties TV golden girls Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby rekindled their decades-long friendship after ‘drifting apart’
The pair were last pictured together in 2022 when they reunited for the last ever episode of Celebrity Juice
So what is the history of their friendship and fallout?
Holly and Fearne, both 44, first met at around the age of 17 when they were beginning to forge their careers in children’s television.
They went on to co-host their own show called Fearne and Holly Go Dating in 2007 before Celebrity Juice was launched the following year in 2008.
Fast-forward 10 years and Fearne left Celebrity Juice in December 2018. She confirmed her departure saying it was to make time for other projects, including her work as an author and successful podcaster.
Holly stayed on for another two years until 2020 before leaving to focus on TV work and her Wylde Moon business.
They are thought to have drifted apart when they stopping filming, with the duo becoming less close after taking different paths and ‘failing to check in on each other’.
In October 2024 it was reported that they had bonded again over a new shared wellness-led and holistic approach to life.
It came after a hellish year that saw Holly quit The Morning and ‘live in fear’ after discovering security guard Gavin Plumb plotted to kidnap, rape and murder her.
She also ended her friendship with This Morning co-star Phillip Schofield after his affair with a much younger colleague on the show was revealed.
But amid her tough challenges she was spending time with Fearne again, according to The Sun.
The pair quickly became TV’s golden girls and forged a strong friendship off-screen, having first met as teenagers beginning their showbiz careers – years before signing up for Celebrity Juice (seen in 2016)
Despite both working on the show together until 2018 and having years of shared experiences, when Fearne quit her role the two women are said to have grown apart
A source told the publication at the time: ‘Fearne started living holistically, concentrating on self-care while Holly was still on TV.
‘But then Holly went down the same path and started meditating and appreciating and researching holistic therapies.
‘When she set up her wellness brand, Wylde Moon, she and Fearne were back on the same page again.’
The pair had last reunited in 2022 to film the final ever episode of Celebrity Juice with host Keith Lemon.
Holly shared snaps of their reunion on her Instagram following the evening, where she sported a Keith-inspired blue and black striped suit.
Holly huddled together with Keith, whose real name is Leigh Francis, and Fearne for a sweet selfie as they enjoyed the send off for the show which launched in 2008.
The This Morning star, wrote alongside the image: ‘If I don’t see ya’ through the week, I’ll see ya’ through the window… it’s been a pleasure @celebjuiceofficial @fearnecotton @keithlemon.’
Underneath the snap, Fearne posted a string of red love heart emojis.
Holly added in her post: ‘With a heavy heart it’s time to say goodbye and thank you to @celebjuiceofficial… the final farewell outfit and it’s a nod to the legend that is @keithlemon.. oosh.. love you!’
Fearne also honoured her time on the programme with a selection of photos, including one of her showing off her incredible multi coloured sequin dress.
Sharing her own tribute, she wrote: ‘Reunited and ready for the last ever Celebrity Juice.
‘To think that we started the show 14 years ago is mind blowing. I loved my ten years as a team captain and will always have the best memories from some seriously silly moments.
And as well as Keith Lemon’s hilarious and sometimes risqué jokes, the main highlight of Celebrity Juice for many were the two team captains Fearne and Holly
Seen on the final ever episode with Emily Atack and Laura Whitmore
‘It’s been lovely to see the gang again today to reminisce. Keith Lemon thank you for soo much laughter and madness.’
Fearne and Holly were the shows original team captains until 2018 and 2020, when Laura Whitmore and Emily Atack took up the reins – with Keith Lemon hosting the show since its inception.
In 2010 the pair spoke in a sweet interview where they said they can ‘pick up where they left off’ with their friendship amid their busy schedules.
Holly told The Daily Mail: ‘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.’
This week Holly reached out to her old friend Fearne – after her paedophile ex-boyfriend Ian was killed in jail.
Podcaster Fearne and Ian dated briefly in the early 2000s before his horrific crimes were revealed. She has never publicly commented on her involvement with him.
Last weekend former Lostprophets singer Ian was murdered behind bars where he was serving 29 years for a string of child sex offences.
The former frontman’s throat was reportedly cut by a fellow inmate after prisoners came out of their cells in the morning.
A few days after his death Fearne took to Instagram with a reflective video where she spoke about shame and other topics.
They even wrote a book together in 2010 about being best friends
This week Holly reached out to her old friend Fearne – after her paedophile ex-boyfriend Ian was killed in jail
Her close pal Holly commented underneath saying: ‘Love you cotton chops’
She said: ‘Here are four things that I learned this week. The first one was from the Happy Place podcast where I spoke to Charlie Mackesy who talked a lot about shame which I greatly appreciated.
‘And the one reminder that I had from that episode was that so many of us feel shame but we assume it’s just us because that is what shame does. It wants you to believe that it’s just you but it’s not…’
She penned in the caption of her post: ‘Four life lessons from this week. I’m not sleeping well. My brain is a bit wobbly at the moment but I’m grasping the lessons life is chucking my way.
‘Which of these interests you the most or rings true?’
Her close pal Holly commented underneath saying: ‘Love you cotton chops.’