This Morning viewers have criticised a decision that appears to disregard the contributions of guest hosts who have stepped in in recent weeks.
After long-time host Phillip Schofield resigned in May after admitting to lying about a ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a young colleague, the ITV breakfast show has seen presenters such as Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Craig Doyle, and Josie Gibson step up.
Holly Willoughby returned to the programme this week following her summer hiatus, with ITV spreading the news on social media to welcome her return after nearly two months.
‘They’re back. 🤩 Holly, Alison and Dermot will be gracing your screens weekdays at 10am on ITV1, ITVX & STV,’ the broadcaster posted on Instagram.
Only photographs of Holly, Alison, and her Friday co-host Dermot were included in the article, with no mention of the other four presenters.
Only photographs of Holly, Alison, and her Friday co-host Dermot were included in the article, with no mention of the other four presenters.
It was quickly met with complaints for the lack of recognition for the other This Morning presenters, with one person writing: ‘Where’s Josie and Craig?’
‘So they’ve just thrown Josie and Craig away like they didn’t carry the show for weeks,’ someone else wrote.
Another added: ‘I will miss Josie. She’s so bright and bubbly. A ray of sunshine in the morning.’
Meanwhile another viewer called for past presenters to be brought back: ‘Bring back Eamonn and Ruth.’
Many others backed Andi and Rochelle, with one adding that they were “so funny together.”
Someone another stated that the recent summer lineup provided the “refreshing shake-up” that this programme need. It’s time to usher in a new age’.
‘Andi Peters was brilliant as was Josie and Rochelle and not to mention Steve Jones! This Morning was fun to watch [after] it had gone so stale.’
Holly and Schofield’s erstwhile tight friendship appeared to have soured this week after he unfollowed her on Instagram.
He does, however, continue to follow former colleagues Alison and Dermot, as well as the account for This Morning itself.
Holly, on the other hand, continues to follow her former coworker and his children on Instagram.
In a statement, an ITV spokeswoman said that Holly will be presenting alongside Craig on Wednesday and Thursday, with Alison and Dermot returning as usual on Friday.
Holly will continue to co-present with members of the This Morning family, they said.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
