Holly Willoughby ‘gears up for legal fight with her old agents as they try to claim fees on future TV projects in row that could cost £10million’
- Holly Willoughby has hired lawyers to take action against agency the YMU Group
- The group demanded a percentage of her future earnings, reports suggest
- Willoughby formed own agency called Roxy last year and now manages herself
- But former-agent YMU are said to be demanding sunset provisions from the star
Holly Willoughby is gearing up for legal fight with her old agents in a row that could cost £10million, insiders claim.
The This Morning presenter, 40, has hired lawyers to take action against the YMU Group after they demanded a percentage of her future earnings, reports suggest.
Willoughby formed her own all-female agency called Roxy last year – and is now managing herself.
But former-agent YMU are said to be demanding sunset provisions – believed to be around 15 per cent – from Willoughbyy.
These are commissions collected by agents from a star who is no longer on their roster, meaning YMU could get a cut from her appearances on Dancing On Ice and This Morning going forward.
Willoughby is said to be willing to pay YMU commissions on jobs arranged while she was with them, but not if those contracts are renewed, The Sun reports.
Holly Willoughby (pictured) is gearing up for legal fight with her old agents in a row that could cost £10million, insiders claim
Willoughby formed her own all-female agency called Roxy (pictured) last year – and is now managing herself
The mother-of-three has been told she could be forced to pay YMU some £10,000 should their bid be successful.
The presenter has hired a team of lawyers – who she met this month – to ensure that does not happen.
A source told The Sun: ‘No one wanted this to go legal but Holly won’t simply give away her hard-fought millions without a fight.’
They added: ‘This is a sad finale to what was once a hugely successful partnership.
YMU currently represent celebrities including Willoughby’s This Morning co-star Philip Schofield.
‘But YMU seem unhappy she’s set up on her own and feel entitled to maximise a sunset provision to claim commission on the renewal of contracts.’
It was reported that Willoughby left YMU back in August.
The This Morning presenter, 40, (pictured) has hired lawyers to take action against the YMU Group after they demanded a percentage of her future earnings, reports suggest
She was said to have made plans to manage herself within an all-female team once she left the agency she was with for 13 years.
The Sun reported at the time that the star made the huge career decision after the coronavirus lockdown gave her time to reflect on her future.
YMU – who were previously known as James Grant – have a number of big name stars on the books including Ant and Dec, Graham Norton and Claudia Winkleman.
A source told the publication last year: ‘Lockdown has given her time to reflect and think about her future.
‘In many ways, it has become the perfect opportunity to start afresh and it was just time for a change.
Willoughby (pictured) formed her own all-female agency called Roxy last year – and is now managing herself
‘She is really excited about managing herself and having more say over decisions on a day-to-day basis.
‘She has always had such incredible business sense and is proud to be a working mum and career woman.’
The insider went on to say that Willoughby’s career decision was the ‘logical next step’ after she hoped to develop a ‘better work-life balance.’