Craig Doyle and Rochelle Humes of This Morning paid homage to Holly Willoughby on the first broadcast after her departure.
The 42-year-old host, who has been presenting with Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson since Phillip Schofield‘s retirement earlier this year, announced her resignation on Instagram on Tuesday with a message.
‘I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning,’ she penned.
She went on to say that it was a “difficult goodbye,” and that she was making the decision for her own and her family’s sake, following an alleged kidnapping plan.
The opening titles of Wednesday’s programme carried a heartfelt greeting the host, along with the caption: ‘Goodbye Holly.’
‘Of course, we want to start by extending our love, best wishes, and respect to dear Holly,’ Rochelle said.
Her co-host Craig continued: ‘Last night Holly made what we know would’ve been a heartbreaking decision to leave This Morning after 14 years.’
Addressing Holly’s alleged kidnap plot, Rochelle added: ‘Holly really loved her job and was looking forward to the future of the show, but recent events especially in the past week have been hard to deal with, and she is quite rightly putting her family first.’
Craig concluded: ‘On behalf of everyone here in front and behind the camera we just loved working with Holly and we’re all really said, but as Holly Willoughby knows all too well, the show must go on.’
Following her resignation, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, Kevin Lygo, stated, ‘We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.’
Holly’s shocking decision, it was recently revealed, was decided before the purported kidnapping ordeal.
A source said: ‘There have been a lot of tears over the past few days. Holly spoke with her children and then with her husband Dan and her parents at length.
‘She absolutely loves This Morning and has devoted herself to the show. But recent events have changed everything and Holly has to put her family first.’
The insider added to The Sun that Holly personally spoke with This Morning boss Martin Frizell and ITV Daytime’s managing director Emma Gormley.
‘Both conversations were very emotional. They obviously wanted her to stay, but said they would completely support her decision.’
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
