The This Morning studio was briefly thrown into chaos on Thursday when an “enormous” spider scuttled across the floor in front of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
As the ITV presenters transitioned to a new segment on the show, Phillip congratulated co-host Holly for not jumping with fear when the eight-legged insect darted out and ran underneath a camera.
Holly was left visibly shrinking away from the spider, as the This Morning cameras focused in on the stationary spider.
Holly said: “Have you got a spider fear? It doesn’t look so big on the television, but it’s really big.”
She then asked producers: “Can we put a glass over it and let it free outside somewhere? Who’s brave enough? No one?”
As a hand appeared with a piece of paper to whisk the spider away, Phillip was heard shouting: “What are you doing? What are you doing?”
As the spider again did a runner, he added: “That was always going to happen! Get a glass!”
Holly, still flinching from the spider, begged This Morning staff: “Can you just make it go that way?”
Phillip exclaimed: “We’re transmitting this!” The spider was finally caught and he said: “ Release it outside. Never a dull moment.”
Earlier in the programme, Holly and Phillip kicked off the Thursday instalment of the show by sending the Queen birthday wishes.
The ITV presenters opened the show by saying happy birthday to the monarch, but as Phillip stumbled over his opening words, Holly was left laughing next to him.
Phillip said of the Queen: “She always watches the beginning of the show, so your Majesty, I’m so sorry.
He added: “I was a little bit nervous. I stumbled,” as Holly joked: “We should curtsy.”
Phillip continued: “She’s obviously celebrating her 96th birthday today.”
A photograph has been released to mark the birthday, showing the Queen with two ponies and reflecting her lifelong interest in horses.
The picture was taken at Windsor Castle, where the Queen now mostly stays, and shows her with two Fell ponies, who will appear in the forthcoming Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Phillip described the picture as “fabulous”, adding: “The Queen is set to celebrate her birthday today privately at Sandringham, that’s her Norfolk estate.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
