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Josie Gibson has finally addressed why she wasn’t chosen to replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning after fans raised eyebrows over the decision. Back in February, Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard were announced as the new Monday to Thursday hosts, replacing Holly and her former co-star Phillip Schofield.
After Holly stepped down from the show after 14 years in October, Josie, 39, was seen more regularly on the show amongst a mix of co-presenters such as Craig Doyle, Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond. Being a popular member of the show for several years, Josie was tipped as one of the favourites to replace Holly, but has now revealed being a full-time host was never the plan.
She told Mail Online: “If I lived in London I would have loved the job. But I don’t live in London, I live [in Bath], and this is where I am, and this where my family is this, where my life is. So, and I, you know I will never get this time back.
“It’s a juggle. You’re a working, mum, you know. The juggle’s real.” As well as her presenting duties, Josie is a full-time mum to five-year-old son Reggie who she shares with ex partner, Terry Bond.
Josie has praised the show’s team for understanding her juggle as a mum as she shut down allegations of a toxic nature behind-the-scenes. She added: “This Morning have been so good to me.
“They are really understanding with Reggie. Juggling mum and everything. It’s just nice to have people that you work with in this industry.”
The mother-of-one stressed that she would never work in a toxic environment, adding: “Do you think me and Alison [Hammond] are gonna work somewhere that’s toxic.
“Alison’s my one of my besties, do you think? Are we me and our whole people are gonna go into somewhere that’s that toxic.”
Josie went on to brand the claims “rubbish” and said the team were a “family affair” who all supported each other.
After Josie returned to the show last week, many viewers flocked to the platform X to call for her to front more episodes.
One wrote: “Why is Josie not main host of #thismorning she is far more professional and watchable?”
A second commented: “Josie and Dermot [O’Leary] would have been a great main team… #ThisMorning.
Another claimed that “bosses missed a trick” not making Josie the main host.”
Cat and Ben made their presenting debut on the show last month which received mixed reviews from viewers.
One wrote: “Ben & Cat are superb on #ThisMorning, hallelujah the producers have finally got it spot on.”
A second added: “Unpopular opinion. I prefer Alison & Demot over Ben & Cat #ThisMorning.”
Another typed: “I thought Cat and Ben did well. Apparently no pleasing the keyboard warriors tho. If you don’t like the programme watch another channel and stop moaning #thismorning.”
A fourth commented: “Love Ben and Cat, good luck you can do this xx”
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV and ITVX.
