Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were 'replaced' for a brief moment on Thursday morning's episode of This Morning - by a robot.
ITV presenter Phil was forced to present the end of the show alone on Wednesday, as Holly left early to meet King Charles at Buckingham Palace, reports the Mirror.
Holly was at the Palace to introduce the King to the Prince's Trust Award winners, as she dashed off from the TV studios via a motorbike ride.
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The pair reunited again on Thursday, and Holly explained how exciting her day was with the King, as Phil listened to her story.
However, the morning programme was actually opened by a new presenter - a robot.
The robot welcomed viewers to the show, and was then seen standing next to Phil and Holly as they explained that they would be interviewing the robot later on in the programme, before setting up the rest of the show's guests.
This news comes as reports have surfaced of the This Morning pair being locked in a "feud", as their friendship has "cooled" outwith the show.
Phil issued a bombshell statement where he said the pair had had a tough few days but that their friendship remained strong, as he shared: "As I have said before, Holly is my rock.
"We’re the best of friends - as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin.
"I’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. And Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers. And of course, Holly has herself been ill with shingles."
Sources confirmed to The Mirror that both ITV and Holly thought the statement had made things worse.
The sourced added: "his Morning’s relationship with its viewers is built on trust, and they have to believe that Holly and Phil’s friendship, and what they’re watching, is real.
"While there was a bit of noise and speculation about their relationship cooling, it could have been ignored.
"But by putting this statement out there, he has turned what was a manageable situation into a feeding frenzy. If viewers now no longer believe in the pair, and make their views clear next week, make no mistake, ITV will act."
The insider also said: "Phil’s position is looking increasingly precarious. Monday is very much D-day, but the same could apply to any day next week. No one is bigger than the brand.
"Yes, they aren’t as chummy as before, but any suggestion they were at loggerheads and not talking off-air was false. But despite not meaning to, Phil’s public statement has now created this perception."
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