Holly Willoughby pictured arriving at ITV for first This Morning show since Phillip Schofield’s shock exit
HOLLY Willoughby was pictured arriving at ITV today for the first time since Phillip Schofield's shock This Morning exit.
The presenter, who is returning to the programme after a two week break, was seen poring over her show notes ahead of the much-anticipated comeback.
Fresh from a family holiday in Portugal, Holly wore a white T-shirt and her shaggy blonde hair obstructed her face.
The 42-year-old star will address Phillip's exit in a specially prepared statement at the beginning of today's show.
A TV source said the host has personally prepared the monologue because she wants to tell viewers how difficult it has been for everyone behind the scenes on the show.
One person who won't be watching is Phillip, 61, with sources telling us he is simply too devastated to tune in.
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Friends of the former This Morning presenter said that despite his support and affection for Holly, “He physically could not watch.
“Even listening to the opening credits would be hugely triggering.
“His family is being incredibly careful not to have the TV on when he’s in the room to ensure he doesn’t see anything.
“Of course he is aware Holly is back on air today and he absolutely wanted her to shine, and smash it.
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“But he physically could not watch — he is not there yet.”
During her time off air, Holly's former pal, came clean about his affair with a much younger ITV runner.
Colleagues are said to be sympathetic towards Holly and will try to make her return to work as smooth as possible.
A TV source said: “Holly wants to address Phillip’s recent admissions about his affair.
“She will be honest and open, mentioning him by name. She’s not shying away from the tricky subject as she wants to show up for the viewers and loyal fans.
“Even though Holly has been on holiday with her family, she has been thinking about it a lot and tried to process the dramatic turn of events.
“She has thought about what she will say and written it in advance, taking her time to get the words right. It’s not something she’s being forced to do.
“It won’t be an easy moment for her, and she knows she could get emotional, but she thinks it’s the right thing to do and wants to speak about it in an honest way.
“It will happen at the very beginning of Monday’s show.
“Holly was really upset to hear that Phil was feeling suicidal amid the backlash since the scandal and doesn’t want him to be in any pain, so she will choose her words carefully and deliver them in a sensitive manner.”
Despite the support of the team and her vast telly experience, Holly is said to be feeling apprehensive.
And crew members suspect there will be tears when the emotion of the moment kicks in.
An insider said: “Holly is naturally nervous about this and is being supported by This Morning.
“Speaking about Phil and what has happened is not going to be easy and emotions are running high.
“Holly is a consummate professional but this will arguably be one of the toughest things she has ever had to do in her television career.”
Sources said Holly has been working on what she would want to say for some time.
The insider added: “The show is braced for tears and Holly is getting support from the team.
“Everyone is rooting for her and knows this is incredibly difficult.”
Holly will be joined on the sofa on Monday by co-host Josie Gibson.
After her speech she will then focus on light entertainment topics.
She will interview Queen singer Adam Lambert to celebrate Pride month and the LGBT community.
Staff have removed pictures of Phillip from the ITV corridors to signify a new era — but not as a snub to him, it is claimed.
In another move, phone-ins involving the public will be heavily vetted by production staff to filter out any attempted viewer outbursts over the scandal.
And interaction segments where viewers send in pictures and social media posts are being paused to avoid the risk of any abuse being targeted at the presenters.
Phillip told The Sun Holly did not know about his affair.
He said: “I’ve lost my best friend. Holly did not know. And she was one of the first texts that I sent to say ‘I am so, so sorry, that I lied to you.’”
A source said: “Everyone feels sympathetic to Holly and there will definitely be a few nerves on set on Monday morning.
“Everyone is anxious for her return to the show to go well, but crew will do their best to make her welcome.
“Holly is clearly feeling anxious about things, but at the same time she’s determined to address it.”
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Later in the week, Holly will be joined by Irish presenter Craig Doyle, while Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will be back for their usual slot on Friday.
Holly is now said to be thinking about the future of This Morning — and is keen to move into a new era for the flagship daytime show.
