Holly Willoughby debuts new co-host as Josie Gibson is replaced on This Morning

Holly Willoughby made her debut with new co-host, Craig Doyle, on This Morning today, as he replaced Josie Gibson following her two days in the slot.

Holly made her return to the show that made her a household name on Monday, June 5, after taking an extended break from the show amid the recent furore surrounding her former co-host, Phillip Schofield.

For the first two days of the week, she presented alongside Josie, who made a gushing tribute to her on social media. before being joined by Craig on Wednesday.

While Craig has guest-presented This Morning on and off since November 2021 this was the first time he had worked with Holly.

Holly looked fabulous in a white t-shirt and bright orange patterned mid-length skirt, whilst Craig looked dapper in a blue shirt and cream chinos.

This Morning is continuing with its "new chapter", as said by Holly in her emotional statement on Monday, after weeks of scandal, including rumours of a "feud" between herself and Phil, which led him to quit presenting duties on the show after 21 years on-air.

He then admitted to an affair with a young male colleague on the show, and resigned from ITV altogether.

After her hiatus from the show, Holly made a tearful address to its viewers on Monday, as she said she was "shaken, troubled and let down" by Phillip, who admitted to lying about the affair to her, his ITV bosses, management and family.

Forgoing her usual bright coloured and patterned dresses, Holly donned a white dress – perhaps signalling her committal to a fresh start in a post-Phillip era of This Morning.

Whilst sitting next to co-star Josie Gibson, tears swam in Holly's eyes as she directly addressed the viewers at home as she stared intently into the camera.

"Deep breath – firstly, are you OK? I hope so.

"It feels very strange sitting here without Phil and I imagine you might be feeling a lot like I have – shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what's been going on, and full of questions.

"You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process.

"And it's equally hard to see the toll that it's taken on their own mental health. I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and wellbeing of everyone.

"I hope that as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other."

Holly went on to thank her fans "from the bottom of my heart" for their "kind messages", as she outlined the presenting crew for this morning: Herself, Josie Gibson, Dermot O'Leary, Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle.

READ MORE:

• Holly Willoughby's emotional statement in full as she returns to This Morning
• 'Angry' Holly Willoughby 'makes Phillip Schofield vow' after her This Morning return

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