Emma Willis was set to co-host This Morning alongside Dermot O’Leary on Thursday, but was forced to pull out of the ITV show at the last minute.

Emma Willis pulled out of This Morning at the last minute (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Emma Willis has had to withdraw from presenting today’s episode of This Morning due to illness. The news comes shortly after it was announced that she would be taking over Zoe Ball’s slot on her BBC Radio 2 show. During today’s episode of This Morning, host Dermot O’Leary revealed that Josie Gibson would be stepping in for Emma, who is sadly under the weather today.

He said: “Look who’s back with you. It’s only Miss Josephine Gibson, hi Josie,” pointing to Josie who was stood beside him. She replied: “Thanks for having me Dermot, thank you.”Dermot added: “Full disclosure, Emma Willis was supposed to be in this week. Emma is feeling a bit poorly so we are sending her big love,” he added, blowing kisses towards the camera, reports the Mirror.

Dermot and Josie announced Emma had pulled out of the show (Image: ITV)

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The show then opened up with a performance of Merry Christmas Everyone from the choir at Wylde Green Primary School in Sutton, which Emma attended as a child. Dermot told viewers: “That was Emma’s primary school!” as Josie said: “Emma, we hope you get well soon – we’re missing you.”

Fans were loving seeing Josie again, as one posted: “@Josiestweet looks so good on that couch alongside Dermot. Please make her the permanent #Thismorning presenter.” A second person then echoed: “Josie for the #Thismorning permanent presenter.”

Meanwhile, the show was thrown into chaos as one of the guest’s phones started ringing during her segment.

Doctor Nighat was on the show speaking to Josie and Dermot about King Charles and his cancer battle when her phone suddenly started making a noise. Her co-star Gyles Brandreth then decided to pick up the phone and answered it for her.

He then revealed that it was her husband but he cheekily told him that she would phone him back later, with the doctor left looking embarrassed, as the segment quickly moved on.