Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield made their triumphant return to This Morning - but left fans confused as they continued to maintain a social distance on set.
The duo has had a two-metre distance between them ever since the coronavirus lockdown took effect last year - adhering to strict onset protocols to prevent the virus from spreading on set.
However, on today’s episode, the couple reunited with a one-metre stick between them, even though rules have relaxed and it’s no longer necessary.
While the gesture was to ensure they would be kept safe while in the studio, fans found their determination to stick to the rules confusing. Particularly as they have been seen spending time together with no distance during their time away.
This included a trip to Wimbledon together in July, shortly after they started their summer holiday away from the series.
It seemed the duo were just as confused, and as they walked in, Holly quipped: “Oh my gosh, we are so close yet still so far.”
Phillip dropped the pretense and said: “We’re just randomly making up rules here, but it seemed like a good idea. You still can't lick me!”
Holly then laughed: “No, I still can’t lick you.”
"By about 2024 I'll be lickable," Phillip joked back, before the pair agreed to measure the distance from their noses so they can get as close as they could within the rules.
Taking to Twitter, viewers urged the pair to get back to a closer proximity - seeing as it’s known they’re close pals outside of the studio.
“Social distancing again i see... Come on!!! If the soaps and tv programs can do scenes which allow actors to be extremely close then surely these too can quit the social distancing…,” wrote one fan.
“Really confused on the covid rules on itv, we can hug now. So why do they have a 1m plus rule on their daytime shows?” questioned another.
While a third said: “Holly and Phil making up the rules as they go along when they’ve posed for new promo pictures together.. why pretend???”
Although their distancing choices remained confusing for viewers, the pair’s first show back was tinged with sadness as they mourned the loss of Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding.
Sarah, who died across the weekend from breast cancer, was remembered as ‘electric’ by the team, with Holly reminiscing about their time together during her days as a Saturday morning kids TV presenter.
“They'd all come in this sort of glamorous gaggle of girls and they'd be there and dancing and she was just... she lit up a room she was just full of energy,” Holly explained.
In honour of Sarah, a large portion of the show was dedicated to teaching people how to check their breasts for lumps.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
