Holly Willoughby beams in rare snap with pals after being defended over 'rough ride'

Holly Willoughby was seen beaming from ear-to-ear as she enjoyed a little girlie date with some of her pals. The presenter hasn't been seen out and about much since ditching the UK to film her big TV comeback.

As fans of the star know, Holly quit This Morning in October last year, months after Phillip Schofield was forced to step back from the daytime show and ITV altogether following his 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a younger colleague.

While she carried on hosting the show for months with various other presenters, she later made the decision to leave the programme after 14 years, saying it had been an 'honour to just be part of its story', but said it was a call she had to make for herself and her family.

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Since then, Holly has largely kept out of the spotlight but it has been confirmed she will be returning to screens as she is set to be the new host of a Netflix reality show centred around survivalist Bear Grylls.

Set in Central America, The Hunt will see 'a group of unlikely British celebrities' dropped into the jungle where they have to take on Bear in a number of challenges. If they fail to impress, they will be hunted down by Bear himself, risking elimination if they are captured.

With the show having been filmed, Holly's been back in the UK but has shared few updates to social media. However, on Tuesday (June 11), friend and All Saints star Nicola Appleton shared a snap of the pair out together alongside their pal, PR guru Niki de Metz.

the trio could be seen smiling for the camera underneat a summery floral display. Holly took place int he middle and looked gorgeous as she sported a pink lip but kept huddled up in her coat as June's weather so far has left a lot to be desired. "Always the best! Love and laughter!!Love my girls @hollywilloughby #demetz @the_summerhouse," Nicole typed alongside the photo.

Holly responded saying: "Dreamy," before the post was flooded with more comments. @gosia_photo_london said: "Too much gourgessness in one room!!!" @liamdoc99 commented: "Gorgeous girls." @koalawallach added: "Girl gang goals!"

It comes after Holly was defended by friend and former Celebrity Juice co-star Leigh Francis. Last month, the TV star and comedian, better known as Keith Lemon, shared insights into how she's coping ahead of her Netflix debut. He revealed that despite the difficulties, Holly is "happy" and looking forward to new opportunities, although he admitted to being puzzled over the criticism she faced.

"As long as Holly's happy, I'm happy. She seems excited about it. I think she had a tough ride, in the end. When you read everything online, I don't really understand what she did wrong. But yeah, last time I saw her she seemed happy." Leigh told OK! Magazine.

Leigh also hinted at what audiences might anticipate from the upcoming show, mentioning his own near involvement: "I were nearly in it. Then I changed my mind." He recounted a conversation with Holly about the show, he said: "I phoned her and said, 'Are you hosting this show?' and she went 'Yeah, are you?!' I went, 'No, they've asked me to be in it. I said no I don't think it's my thing."