This Morning staff were reportedly “relieved” over Holly Willoughby’s shock decision to quit the show.
It’s been a very difficult year for Holly, both personally and professionally.
Earlier this year, her former close friend and This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield’s affair admission threw the show into chaos.
And just this month, a man was arrested after an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Holly was revealed.
Just days later, the mum-of-three announced her shock departure from This Morning after 14 years.
According to The UK Sun, the scandal surrounding the show hasn’t affected just Phillip and Holly, but also those behind the cameras.
“It’s been a hell of a year for This Morning,” an insider told the publication.
“It’s understandably taken a toll on the crew who have to work through some pretty tense and miserable times.”
“When it was announced Holly would no longer be returning, everyone working backstage breathed a sigh of relief.”
“It felt like finally they can get some normality back at work, having spent the last 12 months with morale at its lowest in years.”
“The staff all still believe in This Morning and are rooting for its success. They’re all looking forward to fresh faces coming in and for the show to finally get back on track.”
Last week, it was reported that This Morning bosses are looking to give the show a “complete revamp” for its relaunch in 2024.
According to MailOnline, big names such as Davina McCall, Amanda Holden and Graham Norton have been tossed around; however, bosses aren’t ruling out radio presenters, new talent, influencers and podcasters.
Bosses are also eyeing up a married couple to replace Holly, to recreate the “golden years” of Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan – who co-hosted This Morning from 1988 until 2001.
Couples such as Abbey Clancy and Peter Crouch, Joel Dommett and wife Hannah, and Emma and Matt Willis have been mentioned.
A This Morning presenter told the publication: “Bosses are keen to get it right so there will be no knee jerk decisions, it’s about making the right call on which duo have the right chemistry to take the show through to the next era of its 35 year run.”
“The phones haven’t stopped ringing as television, radio personalities put their names forward to host the show.”
“Every broadcaster, from the world of news, sport, entertainment have been in touch with bosses. Agents have been in contact with ITV bosses to put forward their stars in the hope to take the helm of the two and a half hour daily show.”
“This Morning has an incredibly loyal audience and has made household names out of its hosts over the past 35 years it’s been on air.”
“BBC bosses are nervous that some of their top talent may make the leap over to ITV as it’s the golden ticket in television at the moment.”
“So many previous stars including Holly have gone on to have lucrative commercial careers from the day job on the sofa.”
“They are only too aware that from being on the sofa for two-and-a-half hours every day, she launched her own lifestyle brand.”
