Holly Willoughby set to begin Monday’s This Morning with emotional statement

Holly Willoughby is set to address the drama surrounding her former This Morning co-star Phillip Schofield as she returns to the show on Monday.

The Sun is reporting that a TV source told the newspaper that Willoughby has personally prepared a statement as she wants viewers to understand how difficult the circumstances have been for those at the British daytime programme. Willoughby has not appeared on This Morning for the last two weeks and during that time, Schofield admitted to having an affair with a young runner for ITV after stepping down from the show. The female presenter had already been due to take time off when Schofield announced he would no longer be hosting the programme. With Willoughby reportedly wanting to address her ex-co-star's recent statements, a source told The Sun: "She will be honest and open, mentioning him by name. She’s not shying away from the tricky subject as she wants to show up for the viewers and loyal fans.

“Even though Holly has been on holiday with her family, she has been thinking about it a lot and tried to process the dramatic turn of events. “She has thought about what she will say and written it in advance, taking her time to get the words right. It’s not something she’s being forced to do."

The TV source added that this will not be an easy thing for her to do and that Willoughby could become emotional but that she understands it is the right and honest approach. On Friday, Alison Hammond told viewers that Willoughby will present Monday's This Morning alongside Josie Gibson. The pair have previously hosted the programme together. Since Schofield resigned and Willoughby was on holidays, Hammond and Dermot O'Leary took on temporary hosting duties on the ITV morning show. Read more:

• Phillip Schofield says his career is over and he's ‘lost everything’
• Eamonn Holmes says Holly Willoughby should ‘follow Phil out the door’ in explosive interview
• Holly Willoughby breaks silence on Philip Schofield affair and "lie"
• This Morning ‘facing the axe’ following Phillip Schofield affair scandal