Holly Willoughby posts cryptic message ahead of return to This Morning where she’ll address Philip Schofield scandal
HOLLY Willoughby has posted a cryptic message ahead of her return to This Morning where she’ll address the Phillip Schofield scandal.
She has been absent from the set for the past two weeks — during which time her former pal, 61, has come clean about his affair with a much younger ITV runner.
Holly took a week off when Schofield initially announced he was leaving the hit daytime programme, before then jetting to Portugal with her sister, parents and family for another week.
And she has now posted a cryptic tweet on Instagram to her 179,000 followers ahead of her return.
Holly posted a picture of the Strawberry Moon on her Wylde Moon page alongside words urging others to “maintain a positive perspective”.
Her full post read: “This Full ‘Strawberry’ Moon in Sagittarius brings with it a zest for life.
“The guiding influence of this fire sign combined with Jupiter encourages you to maintain a positive perspective and to tune into your finest qualities.
“Inspire. Renew. Believe.”
It comes after it was revealed Holly Willoughby will address the Phillip Schofield scandal “honestly and openly” when she returns to presenting duties on This Morning tomorrow.
A TV source said she the host has personally prepared a statement because she wants to tell viewers how difficult it has been for everyone behind the scenes on the show.
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.”
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.
Holly 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.
Schofield had told The Sun in an exclusive interview that 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.’”
The former TV star’s statement, where he apologised for lying about the “unwise, but not illegal” affair, came after reports of a growing rift between Holly and himself.
Holly has not commented since taking to social media last weekend to reveal Phillip had lied to her about his affair.
She wrote last Saturday: “It’s taken time to process yesterday’s news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. It’s been very hurtful to now find out this was a lie.”
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.