Holly Willoughby reacts as co-host supports her after backlash over statement

Holly Willoughby’s This Morning statement

Josie Gibson, 38, took the opportunity to praise Holly Willoughby, 42, branding her a “fabulous broadcaster” after the pair teamed up to host This Morning in the aftermath of scandal hitting the ITV show.

Holly seemed grateful for the support, after facing backlash from some viewers due to her statement about former co-presenter Phillip Schofield, 61, who left the programme after admitting to having an affair with a younger male colleague.

The mum-of-three responded by sharing Josie’s post to her own Instagram Story, in view of her 8.3 million followers, alongside a yellow love heart GIF.

Josie had shared a selfie with Holly from the This Morning studios alongside the caption: “Thank you to this legend and her infectious energy!!!

“@hollywilloughby you are such a fabulous broadcaster…loved our last two days together.

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“Passing the baton onto @craigadoyle I will be out in the sunshine bringing you an incredible competition from a canal boat.

“Don’t miss us tomorrow from 10am on @thismorning #hollywilloughby #thismorning #canal #canalboat #womensupportingwomen.”

It comes after Holly’s on-air speech about Schofield was mocked by stars including David Baddiel and Jeremy Vine, after she began by saying: “Firstly, are you okay? I hope so.”

Holly continued: “It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil and I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have.

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“Shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what’s been going on and full of questions.

“All of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process.”

She added: “It’s equally hard to see the toll it’s taken on their own mental health. I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and wellbeing of everyone.

“I hope that as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that the show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.

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“And from the heart, can I just say thank you for all your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning. Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every day.”

Holly was then comforted by Josie, who gave her a hug before saying that the team were working on keeping the show as a “family”.

However, the emotional statement divided viewers, with one hitting back: “WTF. We are all fine. You’re the problem. Stop patronising your viewers #HollyWilloughby.”

Other viewers supported Holly and Josie, but also had sympathy for Phillip.

One wrote: “Love you all, still missing Philip though…. It all seems a little surreal. I hope he’s doing ok and surrounded by those who love him. But continue with bringing us love and laughter each morning xx.”

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