Josie Gibson was absent from This Morning on Wednesday as Craig Doyle co-hosted the show with Holly Willoughby.
The TV personality, 38, has been tasked with the biggest challenge in This Morning’s 35-year history – to replace Phillip Schofield and sit next to Holly as her co-host.
The ITV show has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after it was revealed that Schofield lied about an affair with a younger colleague.
However, Craig and Holly were all smiling as they kicked off the ITV show by wishing students the best of luck with their exams.
Josie let her Instagram followers know she would be taking the day off on Wednesday, gushing about boyfriend Holly.
Shake-up: Josie Gibson was absent from This Morning on Wednesday as Craig Doyle filled in to host the show alongside Holly Willoughby
Tough: The TV personality, 38, has been handed the biggest challenge in This Morning’s 35-year history: replacing Phillip Schofield and sitting next to Holly as her co-host
She wrote on Instagram: “Thank you to this legend and her infectious energy!!! @hollywilloughby you are such a fantastic broadcaster… loved our last two days together.
“When I pass the baton to @craigadoyle I will be out in the sun giving you an incredible race from a canal boat. Miss us tomorrow at 10am on @thismorning’
Josie’s down-to-earth demeanor made her an instant viewer favorite and since then she has occasionally covered for Holly,
Insiders say the fact that former Big Brother winner Ms Gibson is open and ‘ordinary’ means ITV bosses ‘adore her’, while those watching at home find her relatable.
Holly is reportedly determined to fight on to keep her spot on the bench, despite the chaos in the program.
She is paid £730,000 a year for the presenting gig, but has a growing business empire, estimated at £10 million.
Holly told This Morning viewers yesterday ‘we gave our love and support to someone who wasn’t telling the truth’ as she returned to the show for the first time since Phillip’s departure.
Phillip left the show after admitting to an affair – which he labeled “unwise by not illegal.”
In an interview last week, he said Holly – who was unaware of the affair – ignored his messages and apologized and begged for forgiveness.
Sweet: Josie let her Instagram followers know she’d be taking the day off on Wednesday, as she gushed about boyfriend Holly
She wrote on Instagram: “Thank you to this legend and her infectious energy!!! @hollywilloughby you are such a fantastic announcer…enjoyed our last two days together’
In her full statement, Holly said, “Hello there. Good morning. Josie [Gibson], Thanks for your presence. Right, take a deep breath. First, are you okay? It feels very strange to be here without Phil.
And I imagine you may have felt as I did—shocked, distressed, disappointed, concerned for the well-being of people on all sides of what’s going on, and full of questions.
“You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who wasn’t telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt they should resign from ITV and quit a career they love. That’s a lot to process.
And it’s just as hard to see the toll it takes on their own mental health. I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and well-being of all.
“I hope that as we embark on this new chapter and return to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.
And, from my heart, I can just thank you for all your kind messages. And thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie [Gibson]Dermat [O’Leary]Alison [Hammond]Craig [Doyle]and every person who works on this show will continue to work hard every day to bring you this show that we love.”
Before the show aired, friends of Phillip’s said he wouldn’t tune in to see Holly’s return to the bank as it would be too “triggering” for him.
In an interview with The Sun, he apologized to Holly for lying to her about his relationship, saying, “I’ve lost my best friend.”
Hurt: Holly’s return comes as the ITV show has been plagued by allegations of ‘toxicity’, including from former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes who claimed there was a ‘total cover-up’ over the Schofield affair
Drama: Holly is determined to fight to keep her seat on the bench, despite the continued chaos in the program caused by Phillip’s revelations
He added, “I let her down. I missed that whole show. I disappointed the viewers. Holly didn’t know and she was one of the first texts I sent, to say “I’m so, so sorry I lied to you”.
“She didn’t answer and I understand why she didn’t answer either. So yeah, if anyone links Holly to this in any way, it’s absolutely, not true at all.’
The duo have co-hosted the show since 2009 and also co-hosted Dancing On Ice.
Holly’s return comes as the ITV show has been plagued with ‘toxicity’ allegations, including from former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes who claimed there was a ‘total cover-up’ over the Schofield affair.