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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte McIntyre

This Morning fans call on 'natural' host to permanently replace Phillip Schofield

Craig Doyle took over hosting duties on Wednesday as he replaced Dermot O'Leary and joined Alison Hammond on This Morning.

Alison and Dermot had stepped in to host after it was announced Phillip Schofield would be leaving the show with immediate effect and Holly Willoughby would be taking an early half-term break.

Craig has fronted the show several times in the school holidays in recent years, often appearing alongside This Morning favourite Josie Gibson.

ITV viewers were thrilled to see Craig and Alison fronting the show and took to Twitter to call on ITV to make the Irish presenter a permeant fixture.

Craig stepped in to host alongside Alison (ITV)

One tweeted: "Craig [Doyle] is very easy to watch and like on #ThisMorning Very relaxed, no fakery. A natural," while another added: "Please #ThisMorning pair Craig Doyle with Holly. Love his down to earth presenting. He doesn't come across smug!"

A third wrote: "Loving Craig I gotta say! Very natural and likeable, and no fake laughing shite #ThisMorning," and another said: "They need to keep Craig on permanently! #thismorning."

"Oooh Craig & Alison . Love this combination #ThisMorning," someone shared and a sixth tweeted: "Nobody, absolutely nobody, is a better tv partner for Holly than Craig Doyle. If you can't see it, there's something wrong with you #thismorning #HollyWilloughby."

Meanwhile, Rylan Clark has joined the frontrunners in the race to replace Phillip, according to bookmakers Ladbrokes.

Craig has presented with Josie in the past (ITV)

Having been a 4/1 shot over the weekend, the bookies have slashed odds to just 7/2 on Rylan joining Holly Willoughby as a permanent presenter on This Morning.

Alison continues to lead the way for the gig, with Rylan now joining Dermot O'Leary as joint-second favourite.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "All eyes will no doubt be on the This Morning sofa over the next few weeks, and the odds suggest ITV chiefs could pull a sensational U-turn by bringing back Rylan for a permanent seat alongside Holly."

Phillip's final This Morning aired on Thursday with his immediate departure being announced the following Saturday.

On Monday, Alison and Dermot addressed his departure as the former said: "Now we can't start today's show without paying tribute to the man who has spent the last two decades sitting on this sofa – Phillip Schofield."

"Everyone on and off the screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he's done to make this show a success over the last 21 years," Dermot continued before Alison added: "Quite simply we all know he's one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had and we, and all the team, wish him all the best for the future."

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