Phillip Schofield explains as Holly Willoughby still missing from ITV This Morning amid Josie Gibson return

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Holly Willoughby's This Morning absence has stretched into its second week as she was still missing from Monday's show.

Phillip Schofield was once again joined by Josie Gibson as they started a fresh week on the ITV daytime show. The 36-year-old presented the show for three days last week in Holly's absence.

Phil, 59, was then joined by Alison Hammond on Thursday before Alison returned alongside her usual co-host Dermot O'Leary on Friday.

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Fans may have expected Holly, 41, to return to the show today (March 21) after being forced off Dancing On Ice during the semi-finals earlier this month when she tested positive for coronavirus hours before the show went live on air.

After missing all her hosting duties for the week, speaking on Thursday (March 17), Phillip said Holly was "still taking care of herself" and a day earlier he said she was "fine" but "annoyed" at the situation she has found herself in weeks after Phillip himself had to take time off after contracting the virus.

But as viewers tuned into This Morning today (March 21), there was still no Holly and Josie was back to take the reins alongside Phillip once again.

Giving an update, Phillip said at the start of the show: "Welcome to Monday's This Morning... Josie is back." He then added: "Been texting Holly all through the weekend and she's absolutely fine she just has that incredibly persistent and annoying red line that won't go away," referring to that on a Lateral Flow Test.

"So she'll be sitting at home. It's driving her crazy," the presenter added before turning to his co-host and saying: "But it's lovely to see you."

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