Holly Willoughby 'returns' to This Morning as ITV viewers 'do a double take'

13 December 2023 , 12:40

754     0

Holly Willoughby quit This Morning back in October (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

ITV viewers couldn't believe their eyes when a Holly Willoughby 'doppelganger' joined Andi Peters on the This Morning sofa on Wednesday.

Fans had to 'do a double take' after seeing Mollie King return after presenting Tuesday's programme alongside Dermot O'Leary. They couldn't believe how much The Saturdays singer looked like the former ITV star, known for hosting alongside Phillip Schofield, with her bleached blonde bob haircut and bold red lip.

Holly explosively quit This Morning earlier this year after 14 years on-screen, but that didn't stop viewers thinking she was back on ITV. "I was flicking through the channels on my break and saw the two presenters and I thought the blonde woman was Holly, and I did a double take thinking she was back," wrote one on X, formally Twitter.

Mollie King joined Andi Peters on This Morning on Wednesday (ITV)

A second joked: "When you order a Holly Willoughby replacement from Wish." While another said: "Thought Holly Willoughby was back on This Morning then! .....#ThisMorning #hollywilloughby." A fourth said: "Jeepers. I thought Holly was back. @thismorning #ThisMorning."

While someone else said: "I thought that was Holly..Wow love the hair Molly!" Another added: "This Morning Replaced holly with a doppelganger how original." Another used joked: "They really tried to find someone who looks a lot like holly This Morning. Holly Willoughby left your show? Simply introduce her clone."

Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundaries

Holly resigned in October, writing in a statement at the time: "I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning. To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together.

"Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.

"Richard and Judy said, 'We only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers.' It's been an honour to just be part of it's story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much. Holly."

Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, ITV added: "We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make. Holly is one of the best loved, respected and most accomplished broadcasters in the UK.

"She has been at the heart of This Morning for the past 14 years, and she is adored by our viewers. Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country’s most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the programme will miss her enormously. She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future."

Harry Rutter