Holly Willoughby has confessed that her children are’very frustrated’ when she returned to This Morning following former co-host Phillip Schofield‘s shocking announcement about his hidden romance with a young male colleague on the programme.
The 42-year-old took a mid-term vacation from the ITV show after Schofield, 61, left This Morning amid claims that he and Holly were ‘barely communicating’ behind the scenes and that their romance had soured.
He then resigned from all of his ITV duties, including presenting the British Soap Awards, after disclosing on This Morning that he had a ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a young male show runner while still married to Stephanie Lowe, which he claimed he lied about.
Holly has now returned to the show, addressing the incident and called it a “lot to handle,” as well as directly addressing viewers in a now-famous few sentences that started, “Right, deep breath.” First and foremost, are you okay? I certainly hope so. It’s extremely odd sitting here without Phil.’
Holly provided a rare glimpse into her personal life, which she lives with producer husband Dan Baldwin, 48, and their three children: Harry, Belle, and Chester, who is eight years old.
Holly said in a weekly update for her wellness and lifestyle business Wylde Moon that there was a “cloud hovering over” the family.
She began, via The Sun: ‘Hi, how’re you feeling today? How dreamy was the weather this weekend? Finally, here in the UK we’ve got the weather we’ve been craving and you get the sense that everyone feels better for it.
‘Summer is literally right around the corner, bringing back picnics in the park, daytrips to the beach, al fresco evenings spent with loved ones… and not forgetting the annual paddling pool scrub down and patch up!’
Her elder children, on the other hand, are presently preparing for examinations, which has them frustrated.
‘The only downside to this lovely weather for us as a family right now is the revision cloud hanging over us,’ she shared.
‘If you’re anything like me, you’ve got some very frustrated kids kicking about the house, when all they want is to be outside kicking a ball! I can remember that battle for self-discipline like it was yesterday.’
Holly has been hosting This Morning with regular presenters such as Alison Hammond, Craig Doyle, and Josie Gibson while a decision on Phillip’s permanent replacement is made.
ITV executives are apparently eager to ‘lock in’ Alison with a rumoured offer worth £500,000 per year.
Meanwhile, Josie is thought to be in discussions for a £100,000 I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! appearance.
Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona has backed Rylan Clark and Amanda Holden to host This Morning, after calling on Holly Willoughby to leave the ITV show.
The 42-year-old has previously spoken out about her experience as a guest on the ITV show, which left her feeling’suicidal,’ and she has criticised the network for having a ‘toxic’ atmosphere.
She told OK Magazine: ‘I’d have more respect for [Holly] if she left This Morning and Dancing on Ice and said, “Do you know what, it’s time for me to walk away”.
‘I have nothing against her at all, but as a viewer, I just don’t think it’s working anymore. If it was up to me, I’d like Amanda Holden and Rylan Clark to present it.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
