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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

This Morning viewers share fresh verdict over Craig Doyle as he replaces Dermot O'Leary after 'blunder'

This Morning viewers have shared a new verdict on Craig Doyle as he was drafted in to host the programme alongside Alison Hammond in light of Phillip Schofield's exit.

The Irish presenter, who is best known as a presenter for BT Sport where he covers the Rugby Union and MotoGP, is no stranger to hosting the ITV daytime show having joined the growing list of presenters on the show last year. But on Wednesday (May 23), Craig was fronting the show alongside Alison Hammond in place of Dermot O'Leary.

Friday hosts Alison and Dermot have been hosting the show following the news that Phillip had sensationally quit This Morning after 20 years. The news was announced on Saturday (May 20) after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes amid a 'rift' between the pair.

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The 61-year-old confirmed he was 'stepping back' with 'immediate effect' meaning he appeared for the last time on the programme last Thursday (May 18). But Holly also didn't appear back on the programme after the weekend's news following her decision to take an extra week off work ahead of her pre-planned half-term break next week. The 42-year-old will therefore return to the helm of the show on June 5.

At the end of Tuesday's programme (May 23), Alison revealed that Dermot wouldn't be on Wednesday's show (May 24) as he celebrates a big milestone as he turns 50.

But things got off to an awkward start for Craig when he failed to realise that the show had returned from an advert break, confessing to viewers: "I forgot we were on telly! We were all just chatting and then the music started!"

Alison Hammond hosts This Morning with Craig Doyle (ITV)

This Morning viewers, however, are loving the return of the Alison and Craig partnership and tipped Craig as being the one to replace Phillip. @transchronic said: "Craig Doyle would be an excellent replacement, he has years of experience of presenting #ThisMorning."

@Poppyblew echoed: "Craig is so natural. He is the ideal replacement for PS. #ThisMorning." @eastleedslass shareD: "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."

@I_knew_Bob begged: "Please #ThisMorning pair Craig Doyle with Holly. Love his down to earth presenting. He doesn't come across smug!" @karendiamond1 added: "Loving Craig Doyle's relaxed and dry sense of humour on @ThisMorning he also asks the guests sensible questions, he's so chilled out, even Alison's calmed down a bit. Surely he has to be considered for the permanent role (with Josie) #thismorning."

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