Holly Willoughby was absent from Tuesday’s instalment of This Morning with co-presenter Phillip Schofield forced to update ITV viewers.

Holly and Phil host the show together from Monday to Thursday each week but a last-minute replacement was “parachuted” in.

Addressing the elephant in the room Phil said: "Holly is not here today because she's got a tummy bug - nothing more than that.”

Who replaced Holly Willoughby on ITV This Morning?

Schofield then introduced her replacement and revealed when Holly might be back.

He said: "She'll probably be back tomorrow but you (Josie) were parachuted in."

Josie Gibson was drafted in to support Phil and expressed her confusion as being asked to present the show.

She said: "I couldn't believe it. I thought they'd got the wrong number, Phil.

"Honestly, I said 'You've phoned Josie', but how surreal. I've grown up watching the show and now I'm sat alongside you.

"I've been thrown in at the deep end, but I've got the best armbands on the planet."

ITV viewers rush to support Holly Willoughby

Viewers rushed to support Holly Willoughby on social media and praised Josie for the job she was doing in her absence.

“Aww is Holly not well? Missed the start sorry lol get well soon hol hope it's nothing serious, Josie's doing a great job,” said one viewer.

Another added: “Get well soon Holly. Welcome Josie. You are a breath of fresh air.”

A third said: “Poor Holly but Josie is smashing it and is a total breath of fresh air!”

This Morning airs each weekday from 10am on ITV1.