Josie Gibson has shared a string of 'cryptic' posts as she remains among the This Morning stars staying silent on Phillip Schofield's exit. The veteran presenter announced he was 'stepping back' from the ITV programme with 'immediate effect' following rumours of a backstage 'rift'.
Phillip, who therefore hosted his last show on Thursday (May 18), said in a statement that the programme had 'become the story' and that he wanted to "do what I can to protect the show that I love" after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes.
Holly, 42, also issued a statement in response to the news, which she also shared on Instagram, saying: "It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him."
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Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have since been hosting the show and even opened Monday's programme with a tribute to their former colleague. They were then swift to move on as normal after confirming Holly would be returning to the programme on June 5 after adding an extra week to her half-term break.
And Josie, 38, who shot to fame after winning the eleventh series of Big Brother in 2010, is among those tipped to take over and present alongside Holly have hosted the show alongside Phillip, Vernon Kay and Craig Doyle in the past.
While Josie hasn’t paid tribute to her former co-host, she has taken to Instagram to post a series of cryptic messages about “seeing clearly” and “being thankful”.
One quote reshared to her Instagram Story read: "I think the most beautiful thing in the world is watching the light comes (sic) on in someone’s eyes, after they’ve been lost in the dark for so long." Another quote, which she shared to her 415,000 followers, simply said: "Remember being happy doesn't mean you have it all. It simply means you’re thankful for all you have."
It comes as This Morning colleagues celebrity chef Clodagh McKenna and Rochelle Humes have spoken out on Phillip's exit. Taking to Instagram on Monday afternoon (May 22) after This Morning went ahead without Phillip and Holly, Rochelle shared a trio of pictures of the pair in action on the popular programme.
The 33-year-old said: "I've proudly been part of the This Morning family for almost 10 years and over the last few, it has been an absolute pleasure learning so much from you. Thanks for all the lessons - you're a fountain of knowledge and laughter..." She rounded off her post by writing: "Big love @schofe." It comes after Clodagh McKenna was one of the first of Phillip's former colleagues to pay a public tribute to him.
Sharing a smiling picture of the pair in the ITV studio, the chef said: "21 years of brightening up our mornings…. And I’ve been so lucky to be part of 3 of them. I’ll miss the morning hug, the twinkle in your eye that makes me giggle and your empathy." She then added: "You will be missed @schofe." And the veteran presenter was among those to 'like' the post and fans praised Cloagh for supporting her friend.
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