Viewers have expressed concern for Holly Willoughby as she returned to This Morning. The presenter was back at the helm of the ITV daytime show on Wednesday (September 21) alongside co-host Phillip Schofield.
The pair are still under fire for alleged 'queue jumping' to see the Queen lying in state despite This Morning issuing a statement and Holly giving an explanation to their appearance in Westminster Hall during their return to the programme on Tuesday.
Yesterday (Tuesday), the hosting duo were forced to explain what happened when they were spotted inside Westminster Hall while the Queen was lying in state before she was laid to rest in a state funeral on Monday. The 41-year-old addressed the controversy in a VT which documented the days from the Queen's death was announced up until her funeral.
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As they moved on to the four days of the Queen lying in state, viewers heard the pair explain how they were able to enter Westminster Hall and how they didn't file past the Queen's coffin, like those who had queued for hours to pay their final respects. Holly, 41, could be heard saying in a voiceover: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall.
"It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person. The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause."
She continued: "None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no one filed passed the Queen. We, of course, respected those rules, however, we realise that it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction."
This Morning fans quickly reacted to their response, claiming it was a 'non-apology' and a petition to see them axed from the popular programme has attracted more than 37,000 signatures.
And now those tuning into the programme have shared their concern for Holly in particular. @JohnGil69921313 tweeted: "Is Holly ok? She’s not looking herself? #ThisMorning." @alwilk101 replied: "Looks like she’s been crying all night." @imjustgeoo shared: "I feel like holly is faking her happiness today #ThisMorning."
@ellskc posted: "Holly has never been so quiet. I don’t envy anyone in the public eye #ThisMorning." @louisegreenan responded: "I’m not surprised. I’ll bet they wish they’d never gone to report on the mass hysteria that was The Queue and the subsequent mass hysteria that has become the reaction. #ThisMorning."
During the period of national mourning, Holly and Phillip hosted special tribute versions of This Morning. It is only this week, following the Queen being laid to rest, that the presenters have changed out of their black outfits for their usual show styles.
However, Holly is still breaking her usual show tradition as she hasn't returned to social media to share her daily outfit deets. Her daily outfit pictures often attract a lot of attention on Instagram as she tells her millions of followers what she's wearing alongside the hashtag 'HWStyle'.
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