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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield forced to clarify as ITV This Morning finally makes change after two years

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield couldn't hide their delight as they teamed up for the first This Morning of the week.

The ITV daytime show's usual hosts were back at the helm after hosting Sunday night's Dancing On Ice together.

Like with the show's late last week, the programme started at a slightly later time to make way for the ITV News team's latest update on the Ukraine invasion.

Upon starting the show, Holly and Phil pledged their 'solidarity and support' in heartfelt message to the people of Ukraine and their friends and family who may be fearful of what they're going through.

READ MORE: ITV This Morning viewers distracted by flag blunder as Holly and Phillip pledge 'support and solidarity'

But there was one thing that almost passed them by, until a little later in the show.

The pair were stood shoulder-to-shoulder inside the This Morning studio introducing a segment on long-haul holidays with restrictions come to an end.

As they discussed the changes, Phillip pointed out: "Also, the screens came down on Dancing On Ice last night and we are the closest we've been...."

By this point, Holly, 41, had already turned into the hug her co-host, 59, and happily said: "Look at that!"

The pair shared their first on-screen hug in two years (ITV)

Phillip then added the caveat: "On the telly," before Holly confessed: "We've had a few cuddles off-set..."

"We might have done," Phil added as Holly explained: "But this is the first time on-screen that we are allowed.

"So that feels nice," Holly added as she rubbed her shoulder onto Phillip's.

"That feels very nice," Phil cheekily said. "Look at that..."

The pair then moved on with the rest of the show which they were allowed to do without any more social distancing.

But the moment baffled This Morning viewers.

They didn't have to social distance from each other on-screen (ITV)

"Why are Phil and Holly acting like they haven't hugged in a long time? #ThisMorning," @MissLionHeart asked.

@SpannaD tweeted: "Well I’m shocked they have had hugs off screen (said no one ever!) Morning lovelies #ThisMorning."

Holly and Phil's first on-screen hug in two years comes months after people were allowed to get closer again.

During an episode of This Morning in May 2021, after the government announced that the public could partake in "cautious hugging", Phil said that he and Holly still weren't allowed.

He expalined: "Sadly, Holly and I will have to wait a little bit longer for our first hug, because hugging isn't permitted in the workplace," Phil added.

And Holly wasn't happy about it as she said: "This is so rubbish! Geographically, we can't hug here."

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