Holly Willoughby made her return to This Morning on Wednesday following a two-day absence.
The presenter, 39, was replaced by Rochelle Humes, 31, on Monday and Tuesday after taking extra time to spend with her family.
And the star joked that she was ‘just about holding on’ in reference to the latest lockdown, but insisted that it was ‘lovely to be back’ alongside co-host Phillip Schofield, 58.
She back! Holly Willoughby made her return to This Morning on Wednesday following a two-day absence.
As the show began, Holly excitedly said to the camera: ‘Hello, good morning and welcome to your Wednesday morning, it’s lovely to be back!’
Enquiring after the viewers and making reference to the national coronavirus lockdown announcement, she added: ‘How are you, I’ve missed you! Are you all okay? I think we are just about holding on!’
The TV star, who looked radiant in a navy and white polka dot dress, she went on: ‘Still holding on! Happy New Year!’
Viewers watching at home were quick to share their reactions of her comeback to Twitter, with some fans glad she’s back, while others thought it was about time she was back.
Return: The star joked that she was ‘just about holding on’ in reference to the latest lockdown, but insisted that it was ‘lovely to be back’ alongside co-host Phillip Schofield, 58
‘Welcome back holly’ tweeted one excited watcher.
With an other concerned fan saying: ‘I really hope Holly is okay, something looks off about her and she was missing the past couple of days.’
‘Decided to finally do some work then have we Holly?’ said one unimpressed person.
With another adding: ‘Yaaaas all is right with #ThisMorning again holly is back with Phil.’
Filling in: The presenter, 39, was replaced by Rochelle Humes, 31, on Monday and Tuesday after taking extra time to spend with her family
Ahead of the ITV show, Holly took to Instagram to share a snap of her outfit, while she also gave a reassuring message to her fans as she remarked: ‘let’s get through it.’
She penned: ‘Morning! HNY! … Hope your ok and if not …that’s ok too… let’s get through it day by day… we’ve been here before, we can do it again… missed you and looking forward to keeping you company again… see you on @thismorning at 10am.’
It comes after co-star Phil joked that she was on The Masked Singer after she missed her second day of the daytime show.
Greetings: As the show began, Holly excitedly said to the camera: ‘Hello, good morning and welcome to your Wednesday morning, it’s lovely to be back!’
Holly left viewers irked on Monday when Phil announced she would be missing the show to spend an ‘extra few days with the family’ – with a source telling Mailonline it was always her intention to return on Wednesday.
Making light of Holly’s absence, a jovial Phillip remarked: ‘Holly’s not here today, she’s just about to wrap up her singing commitments with The Masked Singer, the badger who would have thought?’
Rochelle said: ‘You’re naughty. Are we just going to…’
Phil joked: ‘I’m leaving it at that. Of course I am. I don’t want to give the game away. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.’ before adding that Holly was ‘back tomorrow.’
Reaction: Viewers watching at home were quick to share their reactions of her comeback to Twitter, with some fans glad she’s back, while others thought it was about time she was back
The presenter who has enjoyed a three week break over the festive period, had decided to take more time off to look after her three children; Harry, 11, Belle, nine and Chester, six.
It comes after the government confirmed all primary schools in London will remain closed for the start of the new term in the fight against coronavirus.
Rochelle , 31, who welcomed her son Blake in October, made her return to the show as she filled in for Holly.
Phillip opened the show with: ‘Happy New Year, welcome to our first This Morning of 2021.
Message: Ahead of the ITV show, Holly took to Instagram to share a snap of her outfit, while she also gave a reassuring message to her fans as she remarked: ‘let’s get through it’
‘Holly is spending a couple of extra days with the family so Rochelle is here, so lovely to see you.’
Rochelle replied: ‘Lovely to see you.’
A source close to Holly said: ‘Holly’s absence is not Covid related.
‘It was always the intention for Holly to start This Morning on Wednesday.
‘The reason why she hasn’t joined Phil in the studio today is because she couldn’t get childcare last minute when asked to push her start date forward.’
Missed: Holly missed a second day of This Morning on Tuesday, as Rochelle Humes once again stepped in to replace her leaving fans baffled
Lol: Making light of Holly’s absence, a jovial Phillip remarked: ‘Holly’s not here today, she’s just about to wrap up her singing commitments with The Masked Singer, the badger who would have thought?’
However fans of This Morning took to Twitter to highlight their frustration at Holly deciding to take more days off because she had a lengthy break over Christmas and New Years.
One wrote: ‘Why does Holly Willoughby need an ‘extra couple of days with the family’ she’s had two weeks’.
Another viewer added: ‘Are you for real? @hollywills is have a few extra days off just like that? She has just had three weeks off for Christmas. Honestly these high paid so called celebrities need to live in the real word.’
A third chimed: ‘Rochelle had a baby about a month ago and still steps in when lazy (or self isolating from her holiday) Holly Willoughby can’t be bothered to come in!! And people may dislike Phil but at least he TURNS UP for work!!!’
‘Is it needed?’: On Monday fans of This Morning took to Twitter to highlight their frustration at Holly deciding to take more days off because she had a lengthy festive break
‘Is three weeks holiday over Christmas and New Year not enough for you lass?’, wrote another fan of the show.
A different viewer typed: ‘@hollywills missing you on @thismorning’.
Holly, like many parents, faces homeschooling her youngest children after all schools in London closed along with the majority of Covid-19 hotspots in Essex, Kent, East Sussex, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire after a Department for Education diktat last week.
Britain on Monday recorded a further 54,990 coronavirus cases in 24 hours – marking the sixth day in a row that daily infections exceeded 50,000.
There is growing rumours that the Government will soon cave in and close all schools in another U-turn for Education Secretary Gavin Williamson as the NEU union said that 6,000 primary schools still open have been told formally by staff that it is ‘unsafe’ to come into work.
Looking after her children: It comes after the government confirmed all primary schools in London will remain closed for the start of the new term in the fight against coronavirus