Normal order resumed on This Morning on Monday as Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby kicked off another week of shows. The first edition of the ITV daytime show of the week marked Holly's return.
The 41-year-old presenter spent a week away from the famous sofa and her co-host and best pal Phillip 60, as she hosted The Games, a reboot of the noughties Channel 4 show which aired live every weeknight last week on ITV. The show, which Holly presented alongside Freddie Flintoff, saw 12 celebrities go head-to-head in a series of sporting challenges.
Coronation Street actor Colson Smith, former co-star Ryan Thomas, Emmerdale's Rebecca Sarker, ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini, The Wanted's Max George, and ex-Love Islander Wes Nelson were among the stars who had spent months in training before competing for a place on the podium.
READ MORE: ITV viewers say Queen is 'not amused' as they spot reaction during Jubilee show
During Friday night's final show (May 13), Rebecca finished in third place alongside Harry Potter actor Josh Herdman while former Ryan took second place alongside Mel B's daughter and influencer Phoenix. But topping The Games podium was musician and footballer Chelcee Grimes and Wes Nelson, who also topped the leaderboard as the overall winner.
Meanwhile, Phillip had spent a few days in Windsor having been the host, alongside Julie Etchingham, of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration at Windsor Castle which saw the 96-year-old monarch make what is now a rare and surprise appearance.
Kicking off Monday's This Morning, their first together in more than a week, Holly said: "Hello and welcome to today's This Morning. It's nice to see you," before looking at her co-host and telling him; "It's lovely to see you," to which Phillip replied; "It's lovely to see you too and well done on The Games."
Holly thanked Phil before saying it was a "lovely" week and "lots of fun" before congratulating Wes who was crowned the ultimate champion. "There were moment when you were like, 'is he an actual athlete,'" she added. "It was a lovely week and I had a good time, however..." Holly said with her voice changing.
Knowing where she was about to go, Phillip stopped her and interjected: "No, no, no... wait a second. When I was watching and you went in tht water I went 'oh my god'," referring to the moment Holly ditched her technical equipment at the side of the pool and jumped in while holding hands with Freddie at the end of one of the shows at the London Aquatics Centre. "It took me by surprise," Phillip added.
Turning to Phillip's weekend, Holly started asking him about his and Julie's interview with Tom Cruise. The Hollywood actor was part of the star-studded line-up for the first major event marking the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. "He's a class act," Phillip said before revealing the Top Gun and Mission Impossible star caused "absolute chaos" at the event.
As the This Morning duo continued to chat, viewers couldn't help but make a dig at Holly on social media. @WorfDelm2016 said: "So we have established Phil can do a late one and Holly cant. #thismorning."
@missohlola tweeted: "See at least Phil turned up for work after his late night last night presenting, unlike Holly who takes time off ALL the time when doing other presenting jobs, can't fault Schofe for being professional, although some of you still will #ThisMorning."
Whereas @TraylorHolmes complained: "It was The Queen’s jubilee celebration but Phil makes it all about him #ThisMorning." And @selz_j tweeted: "Oh here he goes already. Shut up Phil #ThisMorning."
