This Morning viewers appeared to be divided as Holly Willoughby's latest co-host was revealed. While usually seen on the show on Friday, Dermot O'Leary made an early return to screens as he appeared in the ITV studio for the programme on Monday (June 12).
The TV and radio presenter was drafted in to cover for Holly alongside Alison Hammond last month after it was revealed that Phillip Schofield had quit the popular daytime show after more than 20 years amid rumours of a 'feud' with his former co-host. 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.
Following her two-week break amid the fallout from Phillip's admission, Holly, 42, addressed the scandal head on in a statement read out live on air as she was supported by fellow This Morning star Josie Gibson.
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Holly later co-hosted the show with Craig Doyle after ITV confirmed early on that the 42-year-old would remain at the forefront of the programme alongside other "members of the This Morning family".
And on Monday (June 12), it was Dermot's turn to take the seat alongside Holly. As they kicked off the show, the pair reflected on how they have not worked together on the show since 2014 when O’Leary filled in as a presenter.
Reflecting on a photo of them together from this time, Holly said: "This is nearly a decade ago … You look exactly the same. I’ve got a lot more hair which probably isn’t mine! She added: "It’s good to have you back."
But before taking to the sofa on Monday in London, Dermot, 50, had spent his Sunday afternoon and evening co-presenting Soccer Aid, the charity football match, with former footballer Alex Scott at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on Sunday evening.
Discussing the football match with Dermot, a concerned Holly asked: "Firstly, it was an amazing night. Secondly, are you okay because you were in Manchester, you’re now sitting on the sofa, how much sleep have you had?” to which he confessed it had been only three hours.
"I did wake up this morning and my first initial thought was 'Mum, I don’t want to go to school today'," he added. They also revealed that Dermot's makeup artist had a “novel way” to wake him up which involved dunking his head in a sink full of ice.
After showing a video of the method, he remarked: "It’s like downing a Slush Puppie so you get this amazing brain freeze."
The pair then carried on with the show as normal as This Morning viewers flocked to social media to have their say about the new duo, who will be hosting together for the next two weeks.
One viewer tweeted: "Sorry @thismorning @ThisMorningShow #Dermot belongs with #Alison. Pls stop trying to get a match for #Holly." Another wrote: "Holly and Dermot? #itvthismorning #thismorning," alongside a cartoon picture captioned: "Witchcraft."
"I like Dermot but feel he is just filling in as presenter until something bigger and better comes along #thismorning," a third added. However, others were quick to disagree as another wrote: "@thismorning great show as always this morning team, Holly and Dermot are brightening a Monday morning."
A fan also shared: "I'm liking the Dermot and Holly combination #ThisMorning." Someone else commented: "Holly and Dermot are quite good together #ThisMorning (but he is also just as good with Alison)."
The new hosting team also came as the show's summer hosts appeared to be teased. A clip advertising the upcoming string of shows over several weeks during the school holidays heard Dermotdoing the voiceover while segments from Josie and Craig appeared to be teased alongside some of the This Morning chefs and other regular contributors.
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