OPENING UP
Susanna Reid breaks silence on ITV co-star Holly Willoughby’s shock This Morning exit
SUSANNA Reid has broken her silence on ITV co-star Holly Willoughby's This Morning exit.
The presenter, 42, quit her anchor role on the daytime series yesterday, after 14 years at the helm.
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Holly made the shocking revelation in an Instagram post following a traumatic week after an alleged plot to kidnap her was revealed.
Susanna, 52, opened Wednesday's Good Morning Britain by sending mum-of-three Holly her "very, very best wishes" as she dubbed her a "beloved" colleague.
Wearing a stylish sleeveless green and white-print top with cream trousers, the ITV star broke her silence as soon as the opening credits rolled at 6am.
Talking the lead in the chat, she said: "I just want to open the show by sending I'm sure all of our best wishes to Holly Willoughby who has made what is clearly a difficult decision to step down from This Morning on ITV daytime after 14 years at the programme.
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"And she's clearly made the right decision for her and her family as she says, a very difficult goodbye.
"But family first."
She finished off her tribute by saying: "So our very, very best wishes to Holly - a beloved colleague.
"I will miss seeing her walking past as she goes to work."
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GMB co-host Ed Balls, 56, agreed and added: "She's had such a tough year but you feel confident that she will be back on television soon.
"We don't know when.
"But she's a total star and it will be a big loss."
The majority of Holly's fans were in bits at her announcement.
Yet some GMB fans questioned if Susanna's message at the top of the show was appropriate.
One wrote: "Hi Susanna. Absolutely disgraceful that you made such a big thing about Holly at 6:02am this morning. There's a war in Gaza."
Another put: "GMB Have reached a new low with Holly’s departure and the use of Breast Milk. There are more important events we would like to know about……"
A third simply added: "Holly Willoughby is not dead @GMB
! She's just quit her job ffs!"
Yesterday, Holly's This Morning exit statement was revealed in full.
Holly wrote on Instagram: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
"To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much..
"This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together.
"Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.
"Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal so supportive and the very best company every day.
"Richard and Judy said 'we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers'.
"It's been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go.
"Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
"I will miss you all so much.
"Holly."
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It comes just days after Gavin Plumb, 36, was accused of contacting a US “hitman” as part of a plan to snatch Holly in a kidnap threat.
The 35-stone shopping centre security officer appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday to face the charges - soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap - with Holly as the alleged target.
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