Holly Willoughby was absent from This Morning today - here's why

This Morning is one of the most watched breakfast time shows on British television.

And this is likely down to the hilarious relationship between presenters Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

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But why was Holly missing from the show on 4 January? Here’s what you need to know.

Why was Holly not on This Morning today?

Despite the programme wrapping up just before Christmas, giving both presenters a well-earned break, only Philip Schofield welcomed us into 2021 from the This Morning sofa on 4 January.

Viewers were quick to comment, complaining about missing Holly after she had two weeks off for Christmas and New Year.

One tweeted: Why does Holly Willoughby need an "extra couple of days with the family" shes had 2 weeks. #ThisMorning

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While another added: “Holly is "spending extra time with family?!" - she works four days a week for 2.5 hours A DAY and started her Christmas break on the 11th December WHAT THE HELL?!!!! People are SO fed up of this one rule for one rule for another!! #thismorning”

However, the presenter quickly took to Instagram to set the record straight, telling her 7 million followers that two of her three children were experiencing coronavirus symptoms during the Christmas break.

She went on to say that despite them testing negative for the virus, she has stayed at home to care for them and enjoy a few extra days as a family.

Who is the presenter replacing Holly?

The breakfast programme has replaced Holly temporarily with fellow ITV presenter Rochelle Humes, who gave birth less than three months ago to her third child.

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Some viewers rhetorically asked why they had not used recently-axed Ruth Langsford to fill in for Holly.

Langford and her husband Eamonn Holmes were replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary before Christmas.

Who is Rochelle Humes?

The ex-Saturday’s singer and wife of JLS star Marvin Humes is well known for her presenting.

She regularly steps in on This Morning and often presents the fashion section.

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More recently, she hosted the BBC hit show,The Hit List, with her husband, which was filmed while she was heavily pregnant with her son, Blake Hampton Humes.

Marvin and Rochelle also have two daughters,Alaia-Mai and Valentina Raine.

The pair and their kids recently enjoyed Christmas in Dubai, which did not go down well with viewers of This Morning, especially when her colleague Matthew Wright spoke about the need to stay home and refrain from travelling.

One viewer tweeted: “Rochelle is just back from a luxury holiday in Dubai. How can people travel if England is in tier 4?#thismorning”

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But others showed support for her, posting: 2@thismorning miss seeing Holly today but Rochelle Humes is doing an excellent job, like watching her with Phil too xx”

When will Holly be back?

Holly is expected to be back on our screens on Wednesday, 6 January. She told her followers she was taking an extra two days off from presenting This Morning.

Where can I watch This Morning?

This Morning is on ITV from 10am to 12.30pm every weekday.

You can watch later on catch up, from the ITV hub.