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Holly Willoughby misses start of This Morning to watch son's nativity

Holly Willoughby missed the start of This Morning. (ITV)
Holly Willoughby missed the start of This Morning. (ITV)

Phillip Schofield was left to host This Morning alone as Holly Willoughby took some time off to see her son's nativity.

The pair usually present the ITV show together but Thursday's instalment opened with Schofield sat on the sofa by himself.

He explained that Willoughby had gone to see eight-year-old Chester's play but that she'd be rushing back afterwards.

Read more: This Morning gets complaints over Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield addressing queue-gate

Willoughby then appeared by video, with her son's headmaster filming her as she waited outside the school before the nativity.

Phillip Schofield had to host alone while Holly Willoughby saw her son's play. (ITV)
Phillip Schofield had to host alone while Holly Willoughby saw her son's play. (ITV)

The proud mum, 41, said Chester was playing Father Christmas and that she was grateful that she'd been able to whizz off to watch him.

She told Schofield: "You say nativity, there is a nativity of sorts but we're actually following Clarence the camel, who is on a journey to find his home. Will he get there? I don't know.

"I can see behind the camera here that there are lots of children dressed as Christmas puddings and gingerbread men, so it's all going off here."

The TV star, who also has daughter Belle, 11, and son Harry, 13, with her husband Dan Baldwin, then shared that she'd taken tissues in case she shed a tear.

Fans had mixed feelings about Willoughby missing This Morning.

Some said it showed she was just a normal working mum.

Holly Willoughby arriving at the Pride of Britain Awards, at the The Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Picture date: Saturday October 30, 2021. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics
Holly Willoughby is a mum of three. (Empics)

One tweeted: "I think I speak for a nation when I say that this has absolutely confirmed that @hollywills is just like us."

However, there were a couple who pointed out that not all parents would be lucky enough to be given time off to see their children's productions.

And others questioned why This Morning didn't get somebody else to fill in alongside Schofield.

Read more: Alison Hammond teases bid for Christmas number one

"Why didn't you get our Josie (Gibson) in today to cover for Holly?" said one person.

Another asked: "No Alison (Hammond) or Josie to step in??"

Watch: Phillip Schofield says he has nothing to apologise for over queue-gate