Holly Willoughby took to Instagram to share an emotional post as she and co-host Phillip Schofield bid farewell to This Morning for a while.
Just like Good Morning Britain presenting duo Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid, Holly and Phillip are taking an extended break for the summer, just as speculation surrounds their future on the show, particularly Phillip's after he was linked to a switch to the BBC in a big money deal, something the channel have since denied.
While other shows were forced off air by the coronavirus pandemic, This Morning has remained a constant presence on TV schedules, with Phillip and Holly at the helm for nearly all of its shows during lockdown.
But they will now be absent from screens for a few months after an eventful final show which saw a car crash interview with Bernie Ecclestone and their replacements confirmed.
After the end credits rolled, Holly took to Instagram to post: "When we began this new way of broadcasting, we had no idea how long we would be able to come in, or whether it would be our last time broadcasting from the studio during lockdown.
"The team have adapted and had plan a, b, c and d in place just in case...Some days we didn’t know If we’d have the content to fill the show, but somehow we always managed it and even had a few laughs along the way.
"You see us, but we feel that you are there with us, every single show. @thismorning holds a mirror up to life and reflects the mood of what we are all feeling. I can’t thank our team enough!"
Holly singled out co-host Phillip for particular praise, writing: "to @schofe for metaphorically holding my hand and reliably being socially distanced shoulder to shoulder with me... What a strange time... Feeling incredibly grateful ... Huge love, thank you again... See you in September."
