Live webchat with Holly Willoughby and her sister Kelly, Wednesday 19 June, 2-3pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Holly Willoughby and sister Kelly are joining us for a webchat on Wednesday 19th June at 2-3pm. Holly and Kelly always dreamt of writing a story together since their childhood when they would make up stories and dress up and perform for their parents. Their dream has come true as their first book School for Stars: First Term at L'etoile is being published on 20th June. Set in a performing arts boarding school, the story is a perfect mix ofGlee and X Factor but with all the classic charm of Ballet Shoes and Malory Towers; full of midnight feasts, makeovers, dares, drama and dance.

Holly is best known for presenting ITV1's flagship daytime programme This Morning as well as prime-time shows Surprise Surprise and The Voice. She won a Children's BAFTA award for best presenter in 2006. Kelly has always dreamt of being an author and is delighted to be realising her dream with her sister.

Come and chat to Holly and Kelly on Weds 19th at 2pm, but if you're unable to join us at that time, post your question in advance to this thread.

Holly and Kelly will also be signing copies of their new book after school next Thursday 20th June at 4.15pm in Harrods Toy Kingdom. Find out more.

What's it like working with Leigh Francis? Do you ever find yourself forgetting that Keith Lemon's just an act, and not a genuine person?

Kelly and Holly have surely done their research and know this isn't going to be all fawning sycophancy? This is MN, after all

They are both Mnetters I would imagine Young.

I think part of the problem (haven't watched CJ, don't want to, sounds crap) is that no-one's had a chance to read the book yet so we only have assumptions to go by. I looked at the sample on Amazon & was fairly impressed with the vocab - it doesn't look like they're dumbing down. I think to have got this far in TV Holly at least must be fairly tough (and she did stand up to Katie Hopkins). It's going to be interesting to see what they say.

I'm not sure that is it for me - a lowest common denominator show like 'This Morning' will always have the 'what a tragedy - here are some nice handbags' discord. So, it isn't about a woman being 'allowed' to talk about sex and also have to do another job where she has to look sad. For me, it's about someone willingly participating in such sexist, demeaning nonsense as CJ while who claiming to be a role model (or allowing those claims to go unchallenged).

This thread is hilarious :-)

We're at the studios with Holly and Kelly and ready to start. Welcome to mumsnet Holly and Kelly Willoughby.

Oooh hi Holly and Kelly!

Hi, very excited to be here with my sister Kelly to talk to all of you about our new book, School for Stars. Can't wait to answer your questions!

Hi, so excited to be here and answer all your questions about our first children's book; School For Stars!

Hello Holly & Kelly.

I have a quick question,

Do you believe children read enough books in school?

Love to hear your answer! :)

Mairead, @MaireadMcMahon

@EmpressOfTheSevenOceans

Hello, Holly and Kelly.

Congratulations on your book, there are a lot of school story fans here.
I'd like to know who your favourite authors were as children?

Growing up, we used to read lots of Enid Blyton, be it Mallory Towers, or the Wishing Chair, or the Far Away Tree, but also as we got older, Judy Blume, and Nancy Drew were also big faves in the Willoughby household!

Hi there, How did you go about writing the book together?

Hiya, do you have any plans to write books for boys? Also loved the yellow dress you wore on this morning Holly

@AmyFarrahFowlerCooper

Hi, Holly and Kelly!

Your book sounds great!

My question is;

If you could have gone to any of the fictional boarding schools as children, which one would you have picked?

Kelly: Mallory Towers!
I think because we were so into those books. I think it tends to be anything that you're bought as a child, so that's where it started!

Holly: I remember reading a lot of the Sweet Valley High books, but I'd have to agree with my sister - being British, Mallory Towers was kind of the quintessential British boarding school book.

@NotAQueef

Hello! My question is if you could just read one book for the rest of your life what would it be, and why?

Kelly: Pride and Prejudice
Holly: Oh that's a really good one! I'm a bit jealous. What would mine be?

I'm gonna go for a series - Harry Potter! Because I loved those books, and they've been areally big part of my life. And when they finished I was gutted, and I just wanted them to go on and on. SO I reckon, now, I'm almost ready to start from the beginning again. I'm looking forward to my Harry getting to an age where I can read it to him.

@bedmonster

Excellent, I've always wanted to know where holly's gold double coin necklace is from! Please could someone find out for me as I have a very dull appointment at 2.15 :(

Holly: It belonged to my mum, and she had it when she was younger.
Kelly: She got it made in Austria.
Holly: yes, when she lived out there. And gave it to me. It's one of my favourites too.

We're going to change the login so that Holly and Kelly share the same login as it seems easier but they'll still both be answering the questions so feel free to address them both.

Has the chat started yet? I am confused :(

Hi Holly and Kelly!

I'd like to ask:

So many children today rarely pick up a book, ss children who inspired and encouraged you to read and has this led to a love of reading in adulthood?

Yay! Thank you for answering my question

@okokokok

Hiya, do you have any plans to write books for boys? Also loved the yellow dress you wore on this morning Holly

Holly: Thank you very much!

Kelly; I think that if the L'Etoile series continues, there could be some boys schools, and open it more.

Holly: And there's nothing to say that this isn't for boys. If you look at the Sylvia Young school, there's boys there. So there's no reason that it has to alienate boys just because it's set at a stage school, because boys like performing too - look at Billy Elliot. And also, the theme of friendship transcends sexes. Maybe L'Etoile will be linked up to a boy's school for a big production one day! Who knows!

@Southbelle

Has the chat started yet? I am confused :(

Yes. Holly and Kelly's answers are in yellow

Yay, my question got answered!

HQ, you need to check their username