Holly Willoughby ‘crowned Queen of daytime’ in new ITV trailer ahead of This Morning return
ITV bosses have decided to put Holly Willoughby at the heart of This Morning following the dramatic departure of her co-star Phillip Schofield.
The 42-year-old is currently on her annual break from the show but will take centre stage when she returns.
In a trailer for the channel’s new daytime schedule, Willoughby can be seen smiling for the cameras before she takes to the famous This Morning sofa.
ITV insiders say the choice of showing her by herself is a clear message that she is “Queen Bee”.
They told The Mail on Sunday: “Holly is the future and ITV wanted to make that clear. It’s a sure sign that she is at the helm and the other presenters will join her.
“It’s a brand new start for This Morning, the scandal could have destroyed it but it has managed to keep going. There is a lot of excitement.”
Willoughby’s summer break comes just months after her long-time co-host and best friend Phillip Schofield departed the show.
Phil’s initial reason for leaving was to avoid constant rumours about falling out with Holly, but it was later revealed that he had had an affair with a much younger male colleague.
Earlier this year, Holly asked This Morning viewers “Are you ok?” before going on to say she felt “shaken, troubled, let down and worried” by the news.
“You, me and all of us This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth,” she said.
“Who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process.”
After Phil’s exit from the show, questions were asked of who would replace him, having served as a duo with Holly since 2009.
Willoughby will return to This Morning on Monday (September 4) as lead host from Monday to Thursday, while show favourite Alison Hammond will resume her role of hosting alongside Dermot O’Leary in their usual Friday slot.
It was reported that the broadcaster has signed a new contract with a higher pay packet that would see her salary boosted significantly from £700,000 to closer to £1million.