Josie Gibson has thrown her support behind Holly Willoughby after supporting the star during her emotional return to This Morning. The presenter has been co-hosting the ITV daytime programme with Holly this week following Phillip Schofield's shock exit.
Holly hadn't been seen on screens for a fortnight after extending her pre-planned half-term break following the announcement that her former co-star had quit This Morning due to their rumoured fallout behind the scenes 'becoming the story'. However, he later stepped back from ITV altogether after admitting to lying to Holly and his employers about a relationship with a much younger ITV colleague.
She had only posted two short statements to her Instagram Story in that time, with one saying that she felt 'hurt' that she had been lied to but during her return to screens on Monday (June 5), mum-of-three Holly addressed the scandal head on in a statement read out live on air.
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After only addressing her former pal by name once, the tearful 42-year-old was embraced by Josie who then said: "All we can do now is be the family that we are," before cracking on with the programme as normal.
Following her second stint of the week on the show on Tuesday (June 6), Josie took to social media to pay tribute to Holly before passing the co-hosting baton onto Craig Doyle who will join Holly for Wednesday and Thursday's shows before Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary return for their Friday appearance as usual.
Alongside a beaming selfie taken in the This Morning studio, with both women stunning in their summery outfit choices, Josie typed on Instagram: "Thank you to this legend and her infectious energy!!! @hollywilloughby you are such a fabulous broadcaster...loved our last two days together. Passing the baton onto @craigadoyle I will be out in the sunshine bringing you an incredible competition from a canal boat. Don't miss us tomorrow from 10am on @thismorning."
But fans threw all their attention onto Josie as they claimed Holly should be publically paying tribute to her. @annacb1973 said: "She should be publicly thanking you!" @jul6257 commented: "You're brilliant Joise such a lovely energy about you, love the show and all people in it."
@the_crystal_bar replied: "You definitely deserve a full time place as a host, you’re like sunshine on the TV." @kmbuth58 added: "Hopefully we will see much more of you presenting This Morning - you are a much needed breath of fresh air @josiegibson85."
However, Josie's gushing tribute came after viewers couldn't help but spot another awkward moment between Holly and Ruth Langsford as they did their usual crossover between This Morning and Loose Women.
During the link, Ruth joked she and Josie were both wearing green - even though Holly was wearing similar colours too but in a floral pattern. Complimenting the former Big Brother winner on her outfit, the ex-This Morning host said: "We've got the green memo today Josie. You look great!"
Body language expert Judi James picked up on the 'snub', telling the Mirror: "The signs of tension had barely eased today but, as Holly sat primly, her hands touching and static on the table in front, Ruth brought Coleen [Nolan] into frame to allow her to have some relaxing banter in her own studio.
"When Ruth said ‘Hi Holly Hi Josie’ and their fixed smiles looked identical, her eyes flicked from side to side in a micro cut off ritual as though avoiding using eye contact." And This Morning viewers also commented on it too including @Itt39354118 who siad: "Ruth not speaking to holly #thismorning." And @Borisnose2 who tweeted: "Another awkward handover there... Squeak: "Hi Ruth!" "Hiya, Hello Josie" #thismorning."
It comes after Ruth was accused of 'gritting her teeth' the previous when Holly asked what would be on Loose Women after she'd earlier asked This Morning viewers if they were ok in her statement. Holly, who was sitting next to Josie and US Adam Lambert, smiled brightly as she said: "Let's find out what Loose Women are talking about today. Hi there, Ruth!" Ruth, ever the professional, replied: "Yeah, we love Adam Lambert, too!", before blowing him kisses.
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