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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Gemma Jones

Holly Willoughby defended by fans as she breaks down in tears on ITV This Morning

Holly Willoughby couldn't hide her emotions after hearing of a Ukrainian boy being forced to travel 600 miles alone on ITV's This Morning.

Fans were quick to defend the presenter after she could be seen slightly slumped in her seat wiping tears from her eyes with her co-host, Phillip Schofield, having to send the programme to a break.

The 41-year-old had been working on the ' This Morning 's View' segment alongside her co-host when it all got a bit too much for her.

READ MORE: ITV This Morning's Gino D'Acampo under fire over International Women's Day remark

Former Coronation Street star Nicola Thorp and LBC's Julia Hartley-Brewer joined them via video link as they discussed the chaos of refugees fleeing the Ukraine.

During the segment, they spoke about an 11-year-old Ukrainian refugee, who hasn't been named, who was forced to travel 600 miles alone to the Slovakian border.

A picture of the young boy appeared on screen as Phillip, 59, told his story and that he travelled almost the entire width of the country with just a plastic bag and a passport with a phone number written on his hand.

The young boy has now been reunited with relatives, however his parents had to stay in Ukraine and the number allowed someone to contact relatives to collect him and take him to safety.

Nicola got upset as she said: "I don't want to live in a world where this is the best option for children.

"Also, children shouldn't be waiting, especially on their own, at these borders. There are human traffickers operating now."

The emotional discussion continued before the camera eventually returned to show the hosts.

Phillip had tears in his eyes as he said: "Let's leave it there."

Holly could be seen slightly slumped in her seat wiping tears from her eyes with her co-host having to send the programme to a break.

Some viewers were quick to criticise Holly for her tears, but other fans were much more empathetic as they shared their thoughts on Twitter.

Caroline said: "There are some very hard hearted uncaring people on here, I absolutely can understand Holly crying, just as I do at every news report. Remember we could be in a difficult situation one day, who knows which way this war will go Putin has nothing to loose now #ThisMorning."

Hayley said: "I take the p*** out of Phil + Holly all the time but I do genuinely believe that the stories they have to report on plays on there minds. They get a lot of stick for showing emotions. #ThisMorning"

Janine said: "Holly is a mother, she has a very good heart. A lot of you bringing up the fact she has money so she should house Ukrainians ffs grow up.. she has feelings whether you're a fan or not, you're still watching #ThisMorning though aren't you."

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV and the ITV Hub

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