All eyes were on Holly as she returned to This Morning after a two-week break (Picture: ITV)
200,000 viewers reportedly tuned out after Holly Willoughby gave her highly-anticipated statement on This Morning.
The Dancing On Ice host, 42, addressed the recent scandal surrounding her former co-host Phillip Schofield for the first time on Monday [June 5].
Phillip, 61, recently quit the show and resigned from ITV completely after admitting to lying about an affair with a much younger male colleague.
He was also dropped from his talent agency of 35 years following his deceit, with ITV also saying they felt ‘badly let down’ after Phillip previously denied any sort of romance.
Holly opened the show with a statement asking if the viewers themselves were okay, before saying it felt ‘very strange indeed’ being there without Phil as she now co-hosted with Josie Gibson.
Holly was heard holding back tears as she admitted she felt ‘shaken troubled, let down,’ and had given ‘our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Following the presenter shake-up, new figures have now revealed audiences have flocked to the show.
A whopping total of 1,633,410 tuned in to watch Holly address the recent drama, but according to Mail Online, almost 200,000 viewers switched off once she concluded her statement.
Phillip kept a low profile, but then gave two bombshell interviews with The Sun and the BBC, explaining his version of the story and how the fallout has impacted his mental health.
Holly revealed that she was ‘hurt’ by Phillip’s lie (Picture: ITV)
After the confirmation of his hidden affair emerged, Holly had said in a statement on her Instagram Story that she felt ‘hurt’ to have been lied to.
She said: ‘It’s taken time to process yesterday’s news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
‘It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. Holly.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Kim Woodburn once again rips into ‘silly b****’ Holly Willoughby after awkward This Morning return
Holly addressed the fallout for the first time during Monday’s episode.
