Josie Gibson has heaped praise on her This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby following weeks of drama on the show.
Holly, 42, returned to the programme on Monday after taking a two-week break following Phillip Schofield's shock admission he'd been having an affair with a young runner.
Josie, 38, was chosen to host the show with the Wylde Moon guru, who tearfully asked viewers if they were 'ok' before insisting This Morning was 'still a family' on her first day back.
As she stepped away from the morning show to make way for a new stand-in presenter, Josie described Holly as a 'fabulous broadcaster.'
Taking to Instagram, Bristol-born Josie shared a photo of her and Holly in the studio yesterday, gushing: "Thank you to this legend an her infectious energy. @hollywilloughby you are such a fabulous broadcaster...loved our last two days together. Passing the baton onto @craigdoyle. I'll be out in the sunshine bringing you an incredible competition from a canal boat. #womensupportingwomen."
Josie's post was met with mixed reaction, with one viewer saying she and Holly were their "favourite women" while another quipped they 'wouldn't watch the show until Holly leaves.'
Josie will now be replaced by Craig Doyle for the next two days before Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary return to their usual Friday spot.
Mum-of-three Holly made a statement on Monday addressing the furore surrounding This Morning host of 20 years Phillip's departure, telling viewers she'd felt "shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what's been going on, and full of questions".
She continued: “You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, 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."
Some praised Holly for her speech, saying it was the best she could have done in the difficult circumstances.
However, others accused the presenter of being disingenuine.
Mamta Saha, who is a British Psychological Society-accredited analyst, told the Mirror that there were a series of giveaways that made the mum-of-three come across as disingenuous, starting with her opening exhale.
"Holly's message comes across as inauthentic. Her exhalation at the start is just not long enough for someone who claims to have been impacted by all of this," top business psychologist Mamta said.
Eamonn Holmes also slammed the presenter, saying the real 'star of the show' on This Morning was Josie.
He has made his feelings about Holly and Phil crystal clear, dropping several 'truth bombs' in a no holds barred interview on GB News in which he accused the pair of not bothering to speak to their guests until they were on the sofa.
The Mirror has contacted Holly and Phil's reps for comment.
