Josie Gibson has admitted to having a panic attack on the set of This Morning.
The 38-year-old broadcaster, who has long been a mainstay on the flagship series, is co-hosting the midday show with Holly Willoughby following the retirement of Phillip Schofield.
However, she confesses that there have been “highs and lows” in the work, commenting after Phil admitted to lying about an affair with a young runner on the programme.
Despite accusations from former guests and regulars that there was a ‘toxic’ environment on This Morning, Josie has nothing but praise for the programme and how it’s run, saying ITV ‘really looked after me.’
The star claimed she ‘wasn’t a very good presenter’ at the start of her career with This Morning- partly because ‘I couldn’t see the autocue.’
But after getting laser eye surgery, ITV and This Morning ‘gave me a chance.’
Speaking to OK! Magazine, she continued: ‘They even stuck with me after I had a panic attack in the studio because I was so nervous. But they really nurtured me and they’ve been brilliant to me.’
Josie joined the show as a section presenter in 2019, but she still ‘cannot believe’ she works on This Morning four years later.
‘I actually cannot get over it. If someone had told me I’d present one of the biggest daytime TV shows I would have laughed in their face. I feel so grateful and honoured.’
Josie joined Holly on the sofa for the Wylde Moon founder’s first show since Phil’s surprise resignation in early June, having taken an early half-term break up until that point.
Craig Doyle has also stepped in on occasion.
Josie rose to prominence in 2010 after appearing on Big Brother, where she went on to win the season and has remained a fixture on British television ever since.
Josie is also apparently in discussions to feature on the upcoming season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, following in the footsteps of previous ITV stars such as Charlene White and Linda Robson.
According to The Sun, discussions are ‘at an advanced stage,’ and Josie has been offered a deal for £100,000 per year.
The greatest payment on the programme is said to have gone to Boy George in the last series of I’m A Celebrity, which saw Lioness Jill crowned Queen of the Jungle.
The Culture Club star was reportedly paid $1 million (£879,000) to appear on the show prior to his appearance.
