HOLLY WILLOUGHBY ARRIVES AT THIS MORNING FOR FIRST TIME SINCE PHILLIP SCHOFIELD'S EXIT

Holly Willoughby has arrived at ITV studios ahead of her hotly-anticipated return to This Morning.

Holly, 42, will be joined on the famous blue sofa by Josie Gibson on Monday, and is making her first appearance on the popular daytime programme following the controversial exit of her one-time colleague and close friend Phillip Schofield.

The mum-of-three was spotted arriving in casual attire, sporting a white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. Her iconic blonde bob was in loose waves hiding her face.

Veteran This Morning host Holly is resuming her position at the helm of the show after an extended half-term break. Though she and former co-host Phil, 61, were regularly absent during the school holidays, Holly's absence was especially felt given the scrutiny surrounding the beloved ITV show.

She is expected to address Phillip's shock departure today (5 June). In a cut away from ITV's Lorraine, Holly was seen for the first time on This Morning, sporting a white midi dress while co-presenter Josie Gibson opted for a grey dress.

Phil called it quits last month after fronting the show for more than two decades. The disgraced presenter initially stepped down with "immediate effect" as reports of a "feud" with Holly raged on.

In a statement to ITV confirming his departure at the time, he said: "I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.

"Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind. I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love."

It was then revealed he'd had an affair with a younger male ITV employee. Since then, Phil has discussed the controversy in a tell-all interview with the BBC's Amol Rajan.

The former ITV star said he "didn't tell anybody" about his affair with his former This Morning colleague, confirming one-time close friend Holly "did not know" about it.

In an interview with The Sun, the 61-year-old presenter apologised to her for lying about the relationship, and concluded: "I've lost my best friend".

He added: "I let her (Holly) down. I let that entire show down. I let the viewers down. Holly did not know (about the affair) and she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say: 'I am so, so sorry that I lied to you'.

"She didn't reply and I understand why she didn't reply as well. So yeah, if anyone is in any way linking Holly to this, that is ­absolutely, wholly untrue."

Holly and Phil were known and loved for their close bond, regularly delighting viewers with their antics and effortless ease with one another. The duo fronted This Morning together from 2009, after first meeting while working on Dancing on Ice back in 2006.

This Morning airs on weekdays on ITV from 10am.

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2023-06-05T07:38:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd