Piers Morgan fears Holly Willoughby will have the same ‘problem’ as Susanna Reid

Piers went on to sympathise further with his “good friend” Holly, whose replacement co-host has not yet been confirmed by ITV.

This Morning has been the subject of scrutiny after Phillip Schofield resigned from ITV after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague.

“I like Holly Willoughby, she is a good friend of mine… she is in an impossible position,” he empathised.

“She had to come back contractually and do what she did,” he explained, referring to the statement Holly made yesterday upon her return to the show after a two week break.

“It is not funny for her… it’s tough, it’s difficult. You are in an arranged marriage in these situations.

“I was in one myself and suddenly you are divorced, right?” he said.

Holly has been co-hosting with former Big Brother winner Josie Gibson since she returned on Monday after the half term break.

She addressed Phillip’s exit yesterday in a specially prepared statement she made at the beginning of the show..

In it, she said it felt “very strange indeed not being here with Phillip”.

She went on to say, addressing Phil’s actions: “All of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who they, themselves, felt they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved.

“That’s a lot to process and it’s equally hard to see the toll it’s taken on their own mental health.

“I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal and the health and well-being for everyone.”

“I hope as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, then we can find strength in each other.

“From my heart, thank you for all of the kind messages. Thank you for being here this morning.”

Express.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.

Piers Morgan Uncensored is on Monday to Thursday on TalkTV at 8pm.