Holly Willoughby is presently on leave from This Morning following the resignation of her former co-star Phillip Schofield.
The 61-year-old Dancing on Ice host announced his retirement over the weekend, adding, ‘I have always been happy to cover great topics on This Morning. However, This Morning has suddenly been the narrative.
‘Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
‘I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
‘So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.’
Holly will be hosting the series on her own, with a rotating cast of show regulars such as Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, but when will she return to front the daily show?
When is Holly Willoughby back on This Morning?
The 41-year-old host will return to This Morning on Monday, June 5, after taking an early half-term break beginning Monday, May 22.
Today’s show will be hosted by Alison and Dermot, it was confirmed.
Holly responded to Phil’s original post on her Instagram Story, her first reaction since the reports emerged.
‘Hi everyone…’, she began.
‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.’
‘The sofa won’t feel the same without him’, she concluded, suggesting she plans to stay on as host for the foreseeable.
Phil’s resignation comes after it was revealed that they were ‘barely communicating’ behind the scenes and that their romance had ‘cooled’.
While they maintained a united front on the sofa last week, with Phil recently insisting they are “still the best of friends,” rumours have persisted, with reports escalating to claims that Phil is “refusing to quit This Morning,” with one source calling the situation a “runaway train that cannot be stopped.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
