Viewers were left ‘wanting more’ and frustrated at what they said was a ‘totally insincere’ statement from Holly Willoughby on the Phillip Schofield departure. The much anticipated moment left many viewers feeling underwhelmed as she described her feelings as being ‘shaken, troubled, let down, worried.”
She described giving her ‘love and support to someone who was not telling the truth’. But some viewers were not happy - and said that the scripted statement had left them with unanswered questions.
The TV presenter, 42, was back on screen after being pictured in Portugal with her family on a half-term break following the shock departure of her former co-host Schofield and his subsequent revelation of an affair with a younger ITV male employee.
On Twitter Pippa Farley said: “I didn’t know what to expect but wanted more #ThisMorning.” Manc Bird said: “Fake. With friends like Holly who needs enemies! “ Sandra McGrath added: “#ThisMorning was that it? Holly came across fake, phoney and totally insincere. I don’t believe that white than white, butter wouldn’t melt, puppy dog eyed act. That’s what it was, an act, and I believe the public aren’t buying it anymore.”
Matty wasn’t pleased: “God that was worst than I expected - is that it #thismorning” F4 Eurovision commentary was happier though: “Expected a longer speech from Holly but it was a good speech overall I guess #thismorning”
Ryan smith added: “Listen everyone coming at @hollywills she ain’t done nothing she trusted someone like we all did. Leave her be you going on like she’s done something soo bad!! #thismorning.”
Some were sceptical. Dyana said: “That speech was… underwhelming. Holly kind of confirmed there is no love lost between her and Phil, she seems still mad at him. But from HER side, she did not say how much she knew. She could have denied having any knowledge. Her statement was very economical. #ThisMorning
Jordon-Lee added: “This felt very scripted. Not sure it did anything to answer anyone’s questions or draw a line under all the mess surrounding the show. Hard to take in words like ‘warmth’ when we know that’s not the reality of the show behind the scenes #ThisMorning.”
Here is her opening speech in full:
“Hi there. Good morning. Josie (Gibson), thank you for being here. Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you OK? It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil.
“And I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have – shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what’s been going on, and full of questions.
“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. And it’s equally hard to see the toll that it’s taken on their own mental health. I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and wellbeing of everyone.
“I hope that, as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other. And, from my heart, can I just say thank you for all of your kind messages. And thank you for being here this morning.
“Myself, Josie (Gibson), Dermot (O’Leary), Alison (Hammond), Craig (Doyle), and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you this show that we love.”
