Holly Willoughby's former colleagues Rochelle Humes and Craig Doyle paid tribute to her time on 'This Morning' today (11.10.23) after she quit the show.
Rochelle Humes + Craig Doyle sent their love as they hosted the first This Morning since Holly Willoughby quit
The pair, who hosted Wednesday's episode, sent their "love, best wishes, and respect" to the 42-year-old TV presenter, who confirmed on Tuesday (10.10.23) that she had departed the programme after 14 years.
Opening the show, Rochelle said: "Of course, we want to start by sending our love, best wishes, and respect to our Holly."
Craig added: "Last night, Holly made what we know would've been a heartbreaking decision to leave 'This Morning' after 14 years."
The pair admitted Holly had found it hard to deal with "recent events".
Holly - who has 13-year-old son Harry, 11-year-old daughter Belle, and eight-year-old Chester with her husband Dan Baldwin - has been absent from 'This Morning' since last week, when a man was charged with soliciting to commit murder over an alleged plot to kidnap the TV presenter.
Rochelle added: "Holly loved her job here and was really looking forward to the future of the show, but recent events, especially in the past week, have been hard to deal with.
"And she is quite rightly putting her family first."
Craig said: "On behalf of everyone here in front and behind the camera, we just loved working with Holly.
"She made coming to work so much fun.
"We're all really, really sad and are going to miss her."
Rochelle insisted Holly would "forever be one of us" following her departure.
She explained: "Holly said she is incredibly proud of what she has achieved on this show, and so are we.
"She will forever be one of us."
Craig added: "But, as Holly Willoughby knows only too well ... the show must go on."
The pair then continued with the show.
It comes after Holly released a statement on Tuesday afternoon confirming she had left 'This Morning'.
She wrote on Instagram: "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 is 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 so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day."
Holly referenced former 'This Morning' presenters, husband and wife duo Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who insisted the show belongs to the viewers rather than the presenters on the sofa.
She added: "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 its 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."
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