This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby will return to the ITV programme as planned despite the revelations that emerged about her former co-host Phillip Schofield since she was last seen on TV.
Holly is set to return to the This Morning sofa on Monday following her extended half-term break.
Phillip and Holly fronted their final This Morning together on Thursday, May 18 and just two days later Phillip's immediate exit from the flagship programme was announced.
In the statement released by ITV, it was confirmed Holly would remain and would go on to co-present with members of the This Morning family while Phillip would fulfil his commitment to host the British Soap Awards as well as a new prime time series.
Dermot O'Leary confirmed Holly's return date when he and Alison addressed Phillip's exit in an "insincere" tribute.
Alison said: "Now we can't start today's show without paying tribute to the man who has spent the last two decades sitting on this sofa – Phillip Schofield."
"Everyone on and off the screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he's done to make this show a success over the last 21 years," Dermot continued before Alison added: "Quite simply we all know he's one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had and we, and all the team, wish him all the best for the future."
Explaining Holly's absence, Dermot said: "Holly is taking a break over half term, she'll be back in the studio in two weeks."
However, Phillip parted ways with ITV and his management company after admitting to having an "unwise" but "not illegal" affair with a younger colleague on This Morning.
Despite the scandal, a source close to Holly has confirmed she will return to the ITV programme as planned next week.
“She has made it clear she was one of the people Phil lied to and she has nothing to hide. She will return to This Morning as planned on Monday and carry on like the professional she is," a source told The Sun.
“Holly has been affected by Phil’s actions and it has been very difficult. She is devoted to This Morning however and will continue to do the best job she can for them.”
During Holly's absence, Alison has fronted This Morning with the help of co-host Dermot and stand-in presenter Craig Doyle.
