Holly Willoughby faced strong criticism from social media users, who accused her of being insensitive. The former host of This Morning was photographed smiling in front of an MRI scanner this week, which she received as a gift from a company.
The 44-year-old Holly appeared cheerful while seated on the Siemens MRI scanner at a London clinic. She shared with her followers that she was undergoing a comprehensive scan for early signs of cancer and over 500 other medical conditions, costing £1,500. However, many people were upset that she was endorsing something that might not be accessible to all of her followers.
Dressed in branded navy pyjamas, Holly posted a picture with the caption: “Recently @ezrainc very kindly invited me for a multi-organ MRI scan, checking for early signs of cancer and 500+ other conditions. Early detection saves lives, and it’s amazing that this service is now available in London. The peace of mind for me and my family is invaluable. The company hopes that by more people participating, it will become more accessible for everyone… #gifted.” Her post received over 28,000 likes but also faced significant backlash.
Critics expressed their disappointment, with one person highlighting the disparity in access to such scans based on affordability. Another criticized the company for profiteering from health concerns with a £1,500 price tag and called out celebrities for endorsing such practices insensitively.
In response to the backlash, Holly deleted all comments on her post and disabled further comments. Her post coincided with a coroner’s statement suggesting that public figures announcing their cancer diagnoses could be contributing to NHS waiting times. The NHS is reportedly struggling to keep up with the surge in referrals following high-profile announcements like that of Michael Moore, who tragically passed away from incurable bladder cancer after delays in testing.
The coroner, Samantha Goward, expressed concern over the NHS’s capacity to handle the increasing number of cancer referrals, leading to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment. The NHS acknowledged the strain on resources due to a rise in referrals, impacting patients awaiting crucial medical attention.
Holly’s spokesperson has been contacted for a response. For confidential support related to cancer, individuals can contact the Macmillan Support Line at 0808 808 0000.
For more entertainment news and updates, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads.