Eamonn Holmes joked his wife Ruth Langsford was hiding under the cabinet, as she pulled out of Friday's This Morning due to illness, before he ruled out specific symptoms she was suffering from.
He revealed his wife was under the weather, while exact details were not confirmed - but he did feel the need to confirm she didn't have a "dry cough or a fever", reported symptoms of coronavirus.
Rochelle Humes was drafted in to replace the TV presenter, hosting the episode alongside Eamonn.
Opening the show on Friday morning, Eamonn quickly addressed the absence explaining Ruth wasn't feeling well.
Rochelle added that she simply needed "a duvet day" as viewers tuned in to find the usual host wasn't presenting.
Eamonn said: "The sharp eyes amongst you may have realised, Ruth is not here... she's under the counter.
"No, she's a wee bit under the weather, erm... so basically she's at home watching us."
As he waved to the camera, Rochelle said: "She needs a duvet day," before blowing her a kiss.
The pair then introduced Friday's guest chef Rustie Lee, who had some advice for the poorly host.
Eamonn said he was told by her: "When you get home for Ruth put her in a bath of dettol, cos that's Rustie's tip, her cure for everything."
Later on in the show, as viewers questioned the illness, Eamonn added: "I should point out Mrs Holmes does not have a fever or a dry cough."
As Rochelle agreed, laughing, he added: "There are many other things wrong with her, but those are not two of them."
Rochelle said: "Don't start she's not well, it's not fair. Ruth I've got your back."
Husband Eamonn broke the news on Instagram admitting she is too unwell to come into the studio, amid concerns about coronavirus.
"In 4 Ruth. The Bad News is Ruth a bit under the weather today," he wrote.
"The Good news is Rochelle and I will pair up again. A delightful friend and colleague and Always a joy to be around."
Ruth was also forced to pull out of her QVC show on Thursday night.
After Thursday's briefing from prime minister Boris Johnson , sick people are being urged to self-isolate at home for seven days if they have a cough or any symptoms of deadly coronavirus, including a temperature or fever.
These are part of precautionary measures aimed at 'flattening the curve' of the infection rate so that the already overstretched NHS can cope with an influx of patients.
It also means that only those ill enough to be hospitalised with respiratory problems will now be tested for COVID-19.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
