HOLLY Willoughby was pictured arriving at ITV today for the first time since Phillip Schofield’s shock This Morning exit.
The presenter, who is returning to the programme after a two week break, was seen poring over her show notes ahead of the much-anticipated comeback.
Holly Willoughby returned to ITV this morning
Holly with former pal Phillip Schofield before his affair scandal was revealed
Holly enjoyed a holiday in Portugal as chaos consumed This Morning
Fresh from a family holiday in Portugal, Holly wore a white T-shirt and her shaggy blonde hair obstructed her face.
The 42-year-old star will address Phillip’s exit in a specially prepared statement at the beginning of today’s show.
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.
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 Phillip initially announced he was leaving the hit daytime programme, before then jetting to Portugal with her sister, parents and family for another week.
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.
“Even though Holly has been on holiday with her family, she has been thinking about it a lot and tried to process the dramatic turn of events.
“She has thought about what she will say and written it in advance, taking her time to get the words right. It’s not something she’s being forced to do.
“It won’t be an easy moment for her, and she knows she could get emotional, but she thinks it’s the right thing to do and wants to speak about it in an honest way.
“It will happen at the very beginning of Monday’s show.
“Holly was really upset to hear that Phil was feeling suicidal amid the backlash since the scandal and doesn’t want him to be in any pain, so she will choose her words carefully and deliver them in a sensitive manner.”
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.
She 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.
In another move, phone-ins involving the public will be heavily vetted by production staff to filter out any attempted viewer outbursts over the scandal.
And interaction segments where viewers send in pictures and social media posts are being paused to avoid the risk of any abuse being targeted at the presenters.
Phillip told The Celeb Report 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.’”
A source said: “Everyone feels sympathetic to Holly and there will definitely be a few nerves on set on Monday morning.
“Everyone is anxious for her return to the show to go well, but crew will do their best to make her welcome.
“Holly is clearly feeling anxious about things, but at the same time she’s determined to address it.”
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.
Holly is now said to be thinking about the future of This Morning — and is keen to move into a new era for the flagship daytime show.
Holly pictured with Phillip and his younger lover
