Hayley Holt returns to TV after losing her unborn child during lockdown

A New Zealand television presenter has returned to screens for the first time since she tragically lost her unborn baby while in self-isolation.  

Hayley Holt, 39, who hosts TVNZ 1’s Breakfast program, had been due to give birth to her son in July, according to the NZ Herald. 

Returning to screens on Wednesday, Hayley told viewers: ‘I was really excited and could hardly sleep last night to come and be back with my whānau [extended family]. Love you guys,’ 

‘I’ve missed you all and I just wanted to say, especially to [our viewers] out there as well, that the messages of support that were sent in on Facebook, Instagram – I broke my rule and I read the comments – they were beautiful,’ she smiled.

Hayley said she’s managed to see the silver lining despite her tragic loss. 

‘I’ve been through a horrible, horrible experience but the thing that I got out of it was the blessings,’ she explained. 

‘I was really made aware of my blessings and the love of my family and my mum and dad and everybody who supported us.’ 

The former Dancing with the Stars contestant proceeded to announce some happy news – that she’d found love with the father of her late child. 

‘I’ve got a boyfriend! Josh and I have fallen in love,’ Hayley said of her new flame, adding that ‘there is truth in the saying that love conquers all.’   

Confirming that she’s now in a ‘really good place’, Hayley declared: ‘I’m full of gratitude for all that I have.’

On May 8, TVNZ released a statement telling viewers that Hayley’s unborn son had passed away while she was self-isolating amid the COVID-19 pandemic’.  

‘As we’re sure you can understand, this is difficult news to share and we’re asking you to assist us in respecting Hayley’s privacy both while she’s at home and when she returns to Breakfast,’ the network’s statement read. 

‘You’ve been part of this journey and we know you’ll join all of us in the Breakfast family and the wider TVNZ team, in sending Hayley all your love and support. 

‘This is something which affects so many New Zealanders. If you need to talk about it, we can’t recommend the teams at SANDS NZ or Baby Loss NZ highly enough.’    

Hayley had announced she was expecting live on Breakfast in January, saying she was ‘so happy’ about the news after fearing her time had ‘run out’.

‘I’ve wanted this for a very long time and I thought my time had run out but it hasn’t because it is happening!’ she excitedly told her co-hosts.

She confirmed her pregnancy after a viewer named Terry had sent in a letter remarking on her ‘fuller’ figure.

‘Is Hayley pregnant or is it just today’s outfit? Her bust and belly look quite full,’ the viewer asked.

The former Dancing with the Stars contestant began her announcement by saying she had been indulging in some ‘puds’ over Christmas.  

‘I’d get angry and send someone to come and see you if, in fact, it wasn’t true… because yes, Terry, I’m pregnant,’ she said.

Her co-hosts clapped and cheered at the news.

Hayley had joined the Breakfast panel in 2018 and revealed last year the schedule had impacted her social life.

She said in an interview with Stuff that being single at her age was an ‘anomaly’ but her demanding job meant she was often tired in the evenings.

She added that she was ‘actually really happy now by myself’ and didn’t feel the need to be with someone just for the sake of it.

Hayley also told Next in 2018 that fans often wanted to know what she was doing regarding conception.

She admitted she had debated freezing her eggs but was put off by the cost and the ‘scientific’ nature of the procedure.