This Morning viewers have been flocking to social media to respond after Holly Willoughby issued a statement upon her return to the troubled ITV programme.
The presenter made an emotional return to the popular daytime show, saying she felt "shaken, troubled, let down and worried" about the events that led to Phillip Schofield's shock departure from This Morning.
Holly, 42, appeared on screen for the first time in a fortnight following the shock departure of her former co-host and his subsequent revelation of an affair with a younger ITV male employee.
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Seated next to her new co-host Josie Gibson, Holly said: "Josie, thank you for being here. Right, deep breath." She then continued to issue her first major statement after two former short Instagram Story posts.
She said: "Firstly, are you OK? I hope so. It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil. And I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have – shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what’s been going on, and full of questions."
During interviews last week, Phillip told The Sun and the BBC that Holly did not know about the "unwise, but not illegal" affair, and has apologised for lying to her.
Dressed in a sleeveless white buttoned dress, mum-of-three Holly continued: "You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV, and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process.
"And it’s equally hard to see the toll that it’s taken on their own mental health. I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal, for the health and wellbeing of everyone."
Phillip has spoken about the toll the fallout of the scandal has had on his mental health, telling The Sun it has had a "catastrophic effect" on his mind and he is currently getting by “hour by hour”.
Holly then thanked viewers for their support, saying: "I hope that as we start this new chapter, and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other. And from my heart, can I just say thank you for all of your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning.
"Myself, Josie, Dermot (O’Leary), Alison (Hammond), Craig (Doyle), and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you that, this show that we love."
As she spoke directly to those watching, This Morning viewers started to comment on social media with some claiming Holly had thrown her former co-star and friend 'under the bus'. @Simy_78 tweeted: "I do like Holly but can’t help but think she threw Phil under the bus with that 'statement.'"
@Ingridbabycake wrote: "Crikey. I’ve not said anything about all the @thismorning stuff because I wouldn’t want to have any part in making someone more miserable but #HollyWilloughby just completely threw PS under the bus." @books_venture claimed: "Holly really throwing Phil right under that bus. #thismorning." @itspaulactually added: "Holly Willoughby. Bus. Philip Schofield. Rearrange accordingly. #ThisMorning."
And while some criticised the TV star, others jumped to Holly's defence. @GeordieJay, said: "That speech by Holly was quite frankly bizarre... He hasn't killed anyone. Just stop it now. #ThisMorning #PhilipSchofield."
@StacyOnWheels commented: "I think I’m in the minority here, but well done Holly Willoughby for coming back and for making a statement, because let’s face it, that can’t have been easy. Let the ITV investigation take place, make sure everything was legal and we need to move on now. #ThisMorning."
@scott_thompson1 said in Holly's defence: "If you don’t believe Holly Willoughby, then change the channel. Not that hard. I for one, support her 100% and wish her the best in what is a tough situation. #ThisMorning." @blurredpain echoed: "Good for Holly getting on with things. If people don’t like it switch off and get a hobby. #thismorning."
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