Holly Willoughby returned to This Morning on Monday, April 24, after a week off battling the shingles in what she described as a "wobbly week and a half".
She was replaced last week by Rochelle Humes after it was revealed that she had been struck down by shingles - an infection caused by chickenpox - but returned this week after recovering from the condition.
Opening the award winning morning show, Holly said to viewers and her co-presenter Phillip Schofield: "It's nice to be back. Good to see you. Good to see you."
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"Are you ok?" asked Phil.
"Yeah, I'm much better," Holly replied, "I mean I had a wobbly week and a half and if anybody's had shingles, it's really not the nicest thing. But yes. I'm much better.."
"All mended," quipped Phil, as Holly agreed: "All mended and back. Lovely to see you."
And while it seems Phil is pleased to see his co-host, viewers couldn't help but notice Holly's proximity to her TV pal, with many stating how far away she was stood from him as well as commenting on her speedy recovery after just a week.
@fuzzybeepants wrote: "Holly is practically stood in the loose women studio she's that far away from him. #ThisMorning", alongside @TVprattle who said: "No hugging? Something is amiss with Holly and Phil."
@allen_rob also said: "Holly recovered from shingles after just a week. I had it and trust me you would still be in bed in bits. And how did she have time to top up her roots? #thismorning" alongside @lauren7639485 who commented: "How is Holly back if she only had shingles a week ago #thismorning"
Her return after three weeks (taking into consideration her usual Easter holiday break) comes just moments after the 42-year-old took to Instagram to tell her fans how much she'd missed them following a short social media hiatus.
She wrote: "Morning Monday… aww I’ve missed you!!!!! See you on the @thismorning sofa at 10am… we have the co-author of The Rules on the show today!" which was met with a flurry of comments from celebrity pals and fans.
Susanna Reid said: "Welcome back Holly," while Clodagh McKenna added: "Yay!! Back lighting up all our lives again."
This is Phil and Holly's reunion on air after Holly's illness and Phil's absence ahead of the Easter holidays regarding his brother's court hearing. Read more on that here.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV1.
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