Holly Willoughby has issued a statement live on This Morning as she finally addressed the scandal involving her former colleague Phillip Schofield.
The 42-year-old appeared nervous as she gripped co-host Josie Gibson's hand and spoke to viewers this morning.
Phillip, 61, initially quit This Morning after 21 years amid rumours of a rift between himself and co-star Holly following a "difficult few days" amid his brother's court case.
But in a shocking turn, the host was axed completely from ITV - including from his presenting roles on Dancing On Ice and the British Soap Awards - after he admitted to lying about an affair he had with a much younger male colleague.
After his statement, Holly said that she was "hurt" that she had been lied to, while ITV bosses expressed their "deep disappointment" over his "deceit".
Last week, Phillip went on to take part in a series of bombshell interviews in which he declared he is "not a groomer" and addressed his falling out with Holly, revealing that he texted her but never received a response.
Having remained silence since her initial response to Phillip's admission, Holly returned to This Morning and thanked Josie for being there with her before issuing the following statement:
"Deep breath - firstly, are you OK? I hope so. It feels very strange sitting here without Phil and I imagine you might be 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 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 own 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 and Craig and every single person on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you the show that we love."
It comes after Holly took an extended two-week break during half term to escape the fallout from Phillip's sensational departure from This Morning.
In pictures exclusively obtained by the Mirror, Holly could be seen smiling while sat around a dinner table beside mum Linda in Portugal.
Holly was "racked with nerves" ahead of her return, with an insider telling the Mirror: "She was naturally apprehensive about getting back after her extended break. So much has happened and it’s been one storm after another.
“But she needn’t worry as the team are behind her.
“Everyone is desperately hoping her speech draws a line under the matter, at least until the barrister-led review comes back.”
*This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV
