'This Morning': Josie Gibson shocked to be asked to step in for Holly Willoughby
Josie Gibson thought This Morning producers had got the wrong number when they called to ask her to fill in for Holly Willoughby at the last minute.
The TV presenter and former Big Brother winner joined Phillip Schofield to host the ITV daytime show after Willoughby called in sick.
Schofield said to Gibson as they opened the show: "'This is a bit of a first! About an hour ago you were on your way to do our live competitions in Surrey.
Feel better soon @hollywills! And best of luck for your first time hosting, @Josiestweet 💕 pic.twitter.com/8nF2NW3hKo
— This Morning (@thismorning) November 16, 2021
"Holly is not here today because she's got a tummy bug. Nothing more than that, she's probably back tomorrow. But you were parachuted in."
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Gibson, 36, confessed: "I couldn't believe it... I thought they had the wrong number, Phil. I said, 'You've phoned Josie.'"
She added: "How surreal. I've grown up watching the show and now I'm sat alongside you.
"'I've been thrown in the deep end, but I've got the best armbands on the planet. That's what I say.
"I just cannot believe I'm sat here, it is so surreal," she added. "I've grown up watching you, it's just crazy. What an honour."
The Bristol-born TV presenter regularly appears on the ITV show presenting competition segments, but this was her first time co-hosting the show.
Jeff Brazier was quickly drafted in to replace Gibson on the competition slot.
And Gibson proved a hit with viewers as many voiced their approval on social media, commending her presenting skills and saying how much they would like to see her co-host more often.
Traylor Holmes tweeted: "I’ve got to say for her first time presenting and being thrown in the deep end last minute Josie Gibson has done really well. She’s warm and likeable and very natural. She also seems genuinely happy to be there."
While James Agg said: "Have to say for the first time presenting Josie is doing very well tbh she seems a natural I would be using her as first choice replacement from now on."
Jodie Dalmeida wrote: "Josie’s doing alright isn’t she? They should get her doing more."
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And Keith Farren commented: "Listen to your viewers, we want to see @Josiestweet present @thismorning more often. She’s a love."
Gibson found fame after starring in Big Brother in 2010 and went on to win the reality show.
She is mother to three-year-old son Reggie-James.
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