'SHAKEN' HOLLY WILLOUGHBY TACKLES PHILLIP SCHOFIELD EXIT DURING THIS MORNING RETURN

Holly Willoughby has finally made her return on This Morning, becoming emotional as she spoke candidly on camera about Phillip Schofield’s exit from the ITV show for the first time.

The 42-year-old hasn’t been seen on the programme since Thursday May 18, when Schofield’s final episode as co-host aired.

Shortly afterwards, he announced that he was leaving his post, before admitting that he lied about having an affair with a younger runner, concealing the truth from his bosses, colleagues, family and friends.

Today on Monday June 5, Willoughby’s return was first introduced by Lorraine Kelly, who shared with viewers that the presenter would be joined by Josie Gibson.

‘Holly is back and she’s with Josie,’ Kelly said, as Willoughby responded chirpily: ‘Nice to see you Lorraine, thank you.’

When This Morning began, the show opened with Willoughby speaking directly to the camera, her eyes welling up as she grabbed Gibson’s hand and thanked her for being there with her.

‘Hi there, good morning. Josie, thank you for being here. Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you ok? I hope so. It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil.’

She continued: ‘I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have – shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what’s been going on and full of questions.

‘You me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process.’

The TV host said that it’s ‘equally hard to see the toll that it’s taken on their own mental health’, after Schofield said in an interview with the BBC that he understood how the late Caroline Flack felt before she took her own life.

As Willoughby continued speaking, her eyes welled up with tears as she told viewers: ‘I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal, for the health and wellbeing of everyone.

‘I hope that we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.’

Placing her hands on her chest, the Dancing On Ice presenter thanked the members of the public who have sent her messages of support.

‘From my heart, can I just say thank you for all of your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you this show that we love,’ she said.

‘So on that note…’ she continued, turning to Gibson beside her.

Holly Willoughby's statement in full as she returns to This Morning after Phillip Schofield exit

'Hi there, good morning. Josie, thank you for being here. Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you ok? I hope so. It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil.

'I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have – shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what's been going on and full of questions.

'You me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process, and it's equally hard to see the toll that it's taken on their own mental health.

'I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal, for the health and wellbeing of everyone.

'I hope that we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.

'From my heart, can I just say thank you for all of your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you this show that we love.'

Having been holding hands, Gibson pulled Willoughby in for a tight hug, as the latter thanked her for the ‘Josie cuddle’.

‘All we can do now is be the family that we are,’ Gibson added, before the pair kickstarted the rest of the programme.

When 61-year-old Schofield’s departure was first confirmed, Willoughby issued a statement saying that the sofa in the studio wouldn’t ‘feel the same’ without him.

After the confirmation of Schofield’s hidden relationship emerged, she said that she felt ‘hurt’ to have been lied to.

Writing on her Instagram Story, the TV personality said: ‘It’s taken time to process yesterday’s news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.

‘It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. Holly.’

Following an extended half-term break, Willoughby returned to This Morning with co-host Josie Gibson at her side, and is due to also be joined by Craig Doyle later in the week.

It was claimed ahead of Monday’s show that Schofield would not be tuning in to watch.

‘Of course he is aware Holly is back on air today and he absolutely wanted her to shine, and smash it,’ a source told The Sun.

‘But he physically could not watch — he is not there yet.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.

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