Dermot O’Leary has thanked viewers for their support since he and Alison Hammond took over This Morning.
This week and last, the two became the ITV daytime show’s midweek faces when Phillip Schofield left with immediate effect and Holly Willoughby took an early break.
Dermot and Alison have been hosting the programme in the aftermath of Phil’s departure – and his shocking admission that he lied about having an affair with a considerably younger male runner on the show.
It hasn’t been an easy road for the couple, whose 35-second homage to Phil on the Monday following his departure made headlines for its brevity.
They also had to accept that as they presented the show, This Morning was creating headlines of its own, and on Friday, Alison was driven to tears discussing the aftermath when Phillip took part in interviews with The Sun and the BBC.
Despite this, Dermot describes the last two weeks as a “privilege.”
The 50-year-old took to Instagram to post a number of photos from his and Alison’s time hosting, including meeting the cast of Spitting Image and interviewing Sir Ian McKellen.
He wrote: ‘Been a privilege to co-host TM with Alison for you all this week, and on behalf of an incredible crew and team, thanks for all the love!’
The presenter was flooded with praise from viewers declaring he and Alison had done a ‘great job,’ and many calling for them to have a permanent place.
It has been confirmed that Holly will return to the sofa on Monday, this time joined by Josie Gibson as co-host.
Holly has kept out of the spotlight after Phillip’s revelation that he lied about having an affair with the younger guy in a circumstance he described ‘unwise but not criminal,’ spending time with her family in Portugal.
She did, however, post a brief message on Instagram, saying, ‘It’s taken time to comprehend yesterday’s news. When I initially heard about this relationship, I asked Phil directly whether it was true, and he said no.
‘It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. Holly.’
Schofield corroborated her story. He told The Sun: ‘Holly did not know (about the romance). And she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say, ‘I am so, so sorry that I lied to you.’
He added: ‘I’ve lost my best friend. I let her down [Holly].’
Source My Celebrity Life.
