Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have been branded "boring" by This Morning viewers who call for them to be replaced by Ruth Langsford and Rylan Clark.
The wholesome breakfast TV pairing were said to be "past their sell-by date" as fans urged ITV to freshen up the show.
The uproar came after This Morning lifer Ruth was teamed up with Rylan, who now has 10 years of TV work under his belt, to cover for Phil and Holly during the holidays.
As their break from screens started drawing to a close, Holly and Phil shared their excitement on social media ahead of their return as Holly shared a smiling selfie of her and Phil on Instagram.
She wrote in the caption: "Well look who came over for a play date before school starts … See you on Monday @schofe @thismorning … I’ve missed you!!!!! Can’t wait to see you all!!!!"
But, it appears not everyone was looking forward to the pair returning to the This Morning sofa, which some revealed on social media.
"Ruth and Rylan should do it all the time. Phil and Holly think it’s all about them. Will miss not seeing them. Couldn’t they have done next week," one viewer said.
Another tweeted: "Ruth and Rylan, far better than Lord and Lady Phil and Holly who are well past their sell-by date."
While a third chimed: "Ruth & Rylan were my favourite couple over the summer break, then Vernon & Josie as he teased her so much. Get rid of Holly & Phil who are boring!!!"
The demand for Ruth is especially awkward after Phillip famously fell out with her husband Eamonn Holmes three years ago.
The spat is said to have unfolded after Phillip cut Ruth off mid-sentence while she was presenting Loose Women.
There are also rumours that Rylan and Phillip have been embroiled in a feud, too.
Discussing the replacement, a source close to the show said: "You have to wonder what Holly and Phil make of Ruth and Rylan's popularity. The viewing figures were great, as was the social media interaction, which is important to ITV.
"People around the building are laughing at the irony of Ruth being more popular than Phil, especially after the history between them, and more so Eamonn. "
In 2020, Ruth and Eamonn were cut from This Morning after hosting the show for 15 years.
They covered for Holly and Phil when they were away, but also hosted the Friday morning stint, too.
Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror here .
Eamonn went off to present a show on GB news and Ruth stuck with Loose Women.
As well as Ruth and Rylan, the duo were covered by Rochelle Humes, Mollie King, Vernon Kay and Craig Doyle during their summer leave.
Holly and Phil will return to the sofa on Monday September 5.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
