Holly Willoughby finally returns to This Morning saying ‘let’s get through it’ after fans wonder why she is off
HOLLY Willoughby has returned to This Morning after being absent for two days - saying "let's get through it".
Viewers had expected to see her on air on Monday and Tuesday alongside Phillip Schofield and the rest of the ITV daytime line-up including Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid and the Loose Women panel.
Today, Holly confirmed she was back and marked her return to the ITV show with a photo of her This Morning outfit.
The 39-year-old wore a polka dot dress in the snap and told her fans "let’s get through it day by day" as she referenced Britain being plunged into a third lockdown and schools being closed.
The mum-of-three captioned the pretty shot: "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... Dress by @lkbennettlondon"
Minutes later Holly appeared on air and opened the show, telling viewers: "How are you? I've missed you! I think we are just about holding on, it's good to see you! It's good to be back."
A source told MailOnline she had always planned to go back to work on Wednesday.
They said: "Holly’s absence isn’t Covid related. It was always the intention for Holly to start this morning on Wednesday. The reason why she hadn’t joined Phil in the studio is because she couldn’t get childcare last minute when asked to push her start date forward."
Phil was also forced to explain her absence on Tuesday, saying Holly needed to spend "a couple of extra days with the family".
At first he joked she was absent because she's shooting The Masked Singer for ITV.
"Holly's not around today," said Phil as he kicked off the show.
"She's just about to wrap up her filming commitments with The Masked Singer.
"She will be back with us tomorrow. The Badger, who would have thought it?
"Unbelievable but I guessed it from the off."
Later he finally offered an explanation as to why she'd not returned to This Morning.
He added: "We'll also say good morning to Holly who is watching at home, as Badger.
"She's dealing with her childcare issues at the moment and she will be back tomorrow."
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The presenter was replaced by Rochelle Humes.
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Phil, 58, told viewers yesterday: "Hiya and happy new year. Welcome to the very first This Morning of 2021.
"Holly is spending a couple of extra days with the family, so Rochelle is here."