This Morning viewers shared their verdict on Holly Willoughby's replacements - who should stay?

These past few weeks, ITV has been trialling a number of guest presenters on This Morning in a bid to find a replacement for Holly Willoughby on its flagship morning show.

In May, Phillip Schofield exited the show after 21 years when his relationship with a much younger male colleague came to light. Holly Willoughby also quit in October after 14 years as host following reports of an alleged plot to kidnap her.

The question of how to replace the hugely popular duo on the perennial ratings (and advertising) winner has plagued ITV ever since. Regular presenters Dermot O'Leary, Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson have stepped up taking on extra duties, while viewers have seen a revolving door of famous presenters trying on the sofa for size.

Some of the presenters have gone down better with audiences than others, but which is most likely to take on the gig permanently?

Have your say: Who should be the next permanent This Morning host?

Mollie King

The most recent addition to the presenting line-up was Saturdays star Mollie King - but This Morning bosses might not have factored in quite how much she looked like Holly Willoughby.

One viewer commented: "That’s not Holly, that’s… Molly?!"

Someone else added: "Not #ThisMorning bringing in the wish version of Holly with the same hairstyle like we wouldn’t notice."

Few viewers seemed to pick King as their favourite so far, and she certainly had a tough act to follow after Rylan and Emma Willis the week before.

One person commented: "Can we please have Rylan and Emma back, I nearly enjoyed #ThisMorning last week. This swapping and changing for people who are out of their depth is painful."

Christine Lampard

ITV definitely get their money's worth from Christine Lampard, who can regularly be seen hosting Loose Women and is often a stand in on Lorraine when Lorraine Kelly takes time off.

But her guest stint on This Morning after seven years away did not go down quite so well with viewers, who complained she had no chemistry with co-host Dermot O'Leary.

One person commented: "Jesus christ christine lampard hosting this morning,what the hell is going on?everybody is having go now,this show just feels like an audition show."

Someone else panned her appearance: "Well I think it is fair to say, Christine is more wooden than an Ikea flat pack. Bring back emma willis...."

Another viewer commented: "I think Christine is so used to presenting a show on her own she doesn’t know how to share the presenting if that makes sense," while someone else agreed: "Not feeling the Christine and Dermot Vibe. There's no connection."

There were some fans though, as one person wrote: "Catching up with #ThisMorning, surprised they didn’t get Christine Lampard to do all week! They should get her on more often!"

Rylan

By far the most popular presenter for many has been Rylan, who made his triumphant return to the This Morning sofa in October after years away.

His easy, chatty style with guests and callers, as well as him standing up for Prince Harry in a debate about the royals, has gone down a storm with viewers who have been clamouring for his return just days on from his last appearance.

Rylan's first stint back at the show was with Josie Gibson and one viewer commented: "Rylan and Josie are the perfect combination. First time I’ve enjoyed #ThisMorning in ages."

Someone else wrote: "Lovely to have Rylan back on here. Him & Josie are great together. Far more calming than in previous weeks."

Another fan added: "Lovely to see Rylan back. Feels right #ThisMorning."

Emma Willis

Rylan has had a few co-hosts over the last couple of months, but the one that most viewers seemed convinced should be made permanent was his pairing with Emma Willis.

The close friends have worked together lots of times before, most notably on Big Brother, and viewers quickly picked up on how at ease they were with each other.

One fan wrote: "Them: Ooh look at us mixing it up every five minutes with new presenters Me: Stop now and put Emma and Rylan back on with Alison and Craig on Fridays. That’s it. Job done!"

Someone else commented: "Now this is the perfect This Morning presenting team. Rylan and Emma just have that fabulous chemistry."

Another viewer agreed: "Love Emma and Rylan on #ThisMorning such a nice, natural chemistry. Best duo seen on there for YEARS!! Keep these 2 on permanently."

Cat Deeley

Former SM:TV star Cat Deeley was a hit with This Morning viewers, but got somewhat overshadowed by Emma Willis replacing her alongside Rylan shortly afterwards.

Deeley struck the perfect tone for many viewers, who went wild when she brought back Wonkey Donkey for a guest segment in her first episode.

She could well have been in the running for a permanent role before Willis' arrival, as one viewer wrote: "CAT & RYLAN the best pairing …. Fun/ classy and professional - very happy with this!"

Another fan commented: "What a treat to have @catdeeley back on morning tv with the fab @Rylan on @thismorning."

Someone else added: "Ok @thismorning stop @ITV this is it!!!!! @catdeeley is the one!!!!! And @Rylan Monday to to Thurs!!!!!!"

Sarah Ferguson

Winning the prize for the strangest guest host signing was the Duchess of York, who also acted as guest editor for an episode in November.

Viewers felt Fergie was awkward on screen, with subjects covered including a phone-in where the ex-wife of Prince Andrew gave relationship advice.

One viewer commented: "Really hoping that Sarah is only a very temporary host," while someone else added: "This whole Sarah Ferguson thing is so random and actually quite awkward to watch."

A viewer commented: "Sarah Ferguson. Major fail on all levels. How could the execs get this so wildly wrong. Let me know if you need someone to come in and coach you in how to appeal to your target audience."

Someone else wrote: "Sarah Ferguson is giving relationship advice on This Morning. You couldn't make it up."

Other memorable moments from the episode included Cliff Richard 'fat shaming' Elvis, and being called out on his comments by Alison Hammond.

Ben Shephard

Way back when in September, before Willoughby left and viewers thought ITV was simply looking for her replacement Schofe channel favourite Ben Shephard joined her on the sofa.

The Good Morning Britain presenter seems barely able to put a foot wrong with ITV viewers, but he has not made a repeat appearance since his guest stint.

One fan commented: "How lovely to have @benshephard presenting on This Morning today. He's such a good presenter & it definitely shows! More of him please!"

Someone else wrote: "WOW what a breath of fresh air on the show today with Ben Shephard everything crossed that he is a permanent presenter on the Sofa."

Another viewer commented: "What a nice treat watching @benshephard on @thismorning. Can we have more days like today.."

This Morning airs on ITV at 10am on weekdays.

Read more: This Morning

• This Morning lines up three more presenters (Bang Showbiz, 2 min read)

• Holly Willoughby has revealed when she will return to TV (The Northern Echo, 2 min read)

• Phillip Schofield 'declined' to take part in a review of his behaviour after ITV exit (HuffPost, 2 min read)

Watch: Holly quits This Morning