Holly Willoughby directly referenced her former co-host Phillip Schofield's "lies", as she returned to This Morning. 

This was Ms Willoughby’s first appearance on the TV show since co-host Phillip Schofield stepped down after admitting to an affair with a male colleague 30 years younger than him.  

Without naming Mr Schofield, Ms Willoughby said the past few weeks have been “a lot to process”.  

“I imagine that you might be feeling a lot like I have - shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what’s been going on, and full of questions,” she said on the show.  

“You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth.” 

"A desire to heal"

Ms Willoughby said it’s “equally hard” to see the toll Schofield’s resignation “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 this show holds for all of us,” she said.  

Ms Willougby previously said she asked Mr Schofield about his affair with a younger staff member when rumours first surfaced, but he denied them. 

"Respite"

Reports suggest Mr Schofield “physically could not watch” Ms Willougby’s return to This Morning, as even the opening theme would be “hugely triggering”.  

This Morning boss Martin Frizell says staff are tired, but that he's "looking forward" to getting to the bottom of who knew what following the external review. 

“They worked all through COVID brilliantly. All through this, putting a program out two and a half hours a day,” he said. “I just think we just need a bit of respite now.”