Holly Willoughby left the This Morning set early during the show that aired on Wednesday, May 17. The presenter made a premature departure to head to Buckingham Palace, leaving co-host Phillip Schofield on his own.
It comes amid claims the duo, who have hosted This Morning together for 14 years, are "barely speaking" off screens due to a rumoured feud. Holly explained her early exit before her live appearance today, telling her Instagram followers she was off to introduce award winners from The Prince's Trust, for which she is an ambassador, to the King.
Posing in a stunning yellow number, Holly wrote: "Morning Wednesday… see you on @thismorning at 10am… the lovely @suranne_jones joins us today. I'm scootleing (is that a word) off early today to head to the Palace for the @princestrust … got my bested dress on!"
Read more: ITV reportedly facing This Morning boycott with big stars threatening to stay away from show
Opening the show, Holly said: "Hello and welcome to your Wednesday's This Morning," before Phil added: "Well tell me all about it."
"I had a lovely day yesterday," Holly responded, as Phil said: "You looked gorgeous."
"Thank you very much I wore red, I matched the red carpet," Holly replied. "It was lovely, it was The Prince's Trust Award ceremony so this was sort of a moment to really recognise all those young people who've been helped out by the Trust and I was very honoured yesterday to present an award to Motaz Amer who was named the Young Change Maker of the year."
Pointing to Holly's dress, Phil then said: "So this very beautiful ensemble is for good reason?"
"Well I put my posh frock on today because later on this afternoon I'm heading to Buckingham Palace and there the King will be and we get to introduce the award winners to the King so he can say well done," Holly explained. "Which is all quite exciting."
"So you're off midday-ish and I'm holding the fort," Phil asked. "Yes, you are thank you very much," Holly replied.
Later, as midday arrived, Phil said: "It's time, you've been summoned." Holly replied: "I'm going, be good, don't be naughty," as the pair shared a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Holly and Phil's appearance on This Morning comes amid rumours that the friendship between them is in crisis. Over the weekend ITV confirmed that 61-year-old Phil and Holly, 42, would be appearing alongside each other despite ongoing rumours of a feud behind the scenes.
A spokesperson told the Mirror: “Holly and Phillip will be back on the sofa.” They have been presenting the popular daytime show since September 2009.
On Friday Phil hailed his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby as his “rock” in an unusual statement to The Sun. He said: "As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us." You can read more on this here.
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