Holly Willoughby made another comeback just hours after she appeared on This Morning for the first time since the Phillip Schofield scandal unfolded. The presenter appeared on-screen on Monday (June 5) for the first time in a fortnight and was quick to address the elephant in the room.
Holly, 42, had been absent from the programme for a number of weeks after initially extending her break when her former co-star 'stepped back' from the show after rumours of a feud between them dominated headline. However, Phillip later admitted to lying to Holly, his employers, and others over a relationship with a much younger ITV colleague and announced that he was leaving ITV with immediate effect.
Holly later released a statement saying that she felt 'hurt' that she had been lied to. ITV bosses also said that they felt they had been 'badly let down' by the presenter. And during her return to screens, the mum-of-three addressed the scandal head on in a statement read out live on air.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community.
She started by addressing her former colleague and friend by name before not mentioning him again. Holly said: "Firstly, are you OK? I hope so. It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil. And 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."
Dressed in a sleeveless white buttoned dress, mum-of-three Holly continued: "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."
Holly then thanked viewers for their support, saying: "I hope that as 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. And from my heart, can I just say thank you for all of your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning."
She concluded: "Myself, Josie, Dermot (O’Leary), Alison (Hammond), Craig (Doyle), and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you that, this show that we love," before sharing a hug with Josie and cracking on with the show as usual.
Following her TV return, Holly also made somewhat of a public comeback with her business away from the show. The TV beauty launched Wylde Woon, her wellness brand, a number of years ago and each week she pens a newsletter to her loyal subscribers.
Echoing her This Morning speech, she started her latest note by writing: "Hi, How’re you feeling today?" In a change to her normal messages, Holly kept it short and sweet as she continued: "With all the lovely weather, followed by the arrival of yesterday’s Full ‘Strawberry’ Moon in Sagittarius, we’ve been treated to sunrays by day and moonbeams by night.
"Where possible, don’t forget to take a moment for yourself this week to absorb Mother Nature’s gifts…she has the ability to recharge the body and soul like nothing else."
She added: "At WYLDE MOON HQ we’ve been busy working away to bring you more of what you love," before rounding off the note with: "Love Holly x."
It comes after fans think they spotted a 'weird' blunder as she read out her own statement on This Morning. As already detailed, Holly opened the show by saying: "Firstly, are you ok? I hope so. Feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil." However, some fans were left baffled as they thought Holly had actually said her former co-presenter's name 'Phil's' instead of 'feels'
@MitchVC_ tweeted; "Legit thought she said 'Phil’s very strange' at the start of this." @GaryPanton shared: "First time I watched this I thought she said "Phil's very strange indeed" which really didn't feel like it was going to help matters."@Dubstep1988 added: "My favourite part of this absolute nonsense is that she pronounces 'feel' as 'Phil' resulting in… 'Phil’s very strange.' #ThisMorning."
READ NEXT:
- Helen Flanagan channels 'Barbie princess' in eye-popping bikini display after daughter's honest comment
- Coronation Street's Tina O'Brien left in tears over daughter's on-screen performance before 'knockout' hot pink display
- Molly-Mae Hague 'beyond proud' as she appears in bridal dress with daughter Bambi after making fans 'sick'
- Stacey Solomon shares home 'rule' as she admits to fears of being 'punked' alongside unedited family snap
- 'Uncomfortable and disconnected' Holly Willoughby 'wanted to say more' in This Morning Phillip Schofield statement
