Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have reunited on This Morning for the first time in over a month.

On Monday, following a bout of shingles, Holly, 42, finally returned to the famous sofa alongside Phillip, 61.

She was due to welcome him back to the ITV daytime show last week, after he took time off amid his brother Tim’s child sex abuse trial.

However, her sick leave meant she missed her co-star’s first week back on air after his three-week break due to his brother’s convictions. 

Holly took to Instagram just minutes before her This Morning return, telling her fans: ‘Aww I’ve missed you!!!!!’ as she showed off her stylish look for the show.

She’s back! On Monday, Holly took to Instagram just minutes before her This Morning return, telling her fans: ‘Aww I’ve missed you!!!!!’ as she showed off her stylish look for the show

Reunited: Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have reunited on This Morning for the first time in over a month

The blonde presenter looked sensational in a pretty green midi dress from Ro and Zo, teamed with a pair of tan coloured suede stilettos..

Holly wrote alongside: ‘Morning Monday… aww I’ve missed you!!!!! See you on the @thismorning sofa at 10am… we have the co-author of The Rules on the show today! #hwstyle dress by @ro_and_zo.’

The co-hosts finally reunited on screen on Monday morning, after it was revealed the career of Phillip Schofield is in doubt.

The Mail on Sunday revealed that behind the scenes, a battle is raging over the show’s future – specifically whether to have a reshuffle of presenting staff.

Some think it’s time for Phillip to step back after more than two decades presenting the programme after noticing how some of its million-plus viewers appear to have grown tired of him.

And as part of their strategy to listen to their audiences, ITV chiefs monitor social media to see how fans are reacting to their stars.

Not only is there substantial negativity at Phillip, but there are also petitions across the internet asking for the channel to get rid of him.

Their views have been exacerbated by the success of Alison Hammond, 42, who is described by some as the ‘saviour of This Morning’ after she was promoted from its showbusiness interviewer to a main presenter 15 months ago. 

Oh no: It comes as The Mail on Sunday revealed that behind the scenes, a battle is raging over the show’s future – specifically whether to have a reshuffle of presenting staff

Popular: Their views have most certainly been exacerbated by the success of Alison Hammond (pictured) 

It has put an idea into the heads of ITV chiefs – to bring a bit of ‘girl power’ to the show.

One source said: ‘It’s a case of both things colliding. Fans say they are over Phil and they love Alison.’

Undeniably, Phillip has his loyalists at the channel – most in the upper echelons. He is also signed to the powerful YMU talent agency which is said to have significant power over ITV.

This Morning’s editor Martin Frizell is perhaps one of his most staunch supporters and is said to have ‘taken several bullets’ for Phillip in recent years.

But increasingly, Alison is becoming more powerful – particularly as other channels are trying to steal her.

Last month she was unveiled as the new host of The Great British Bake Off, something which ‘blindsided’ ITV chiefs.

Holly is also said to ‘adore’ Alison, while ITV bosses are falling over themselves to show her love – despite some having once dismissed her as the bubbly showbiz girl.

If Phillip were to depart, it would see an end to ‘Holly and Phil’, one of the most famous partnerships on television – or ‘Phil and Holly’, which he is said to prefer.

Tensions: Undeniably, Phillip has his loyalists at the channel – most in the upper echelons. He is also signed to the powerful YMU talent agency

Some staff at ITV were – perhaps unfairly – sceptical of Holly’s illness last week, which they say provided ‘perfect timing’ for her not to have to sit next to Phillip when he thanked fans for their support over his painful ordeal at his brother’s convictions. 

However, sources close to Holly insist that she had struggled to shake off the illness until last Friday.

Meanwhile, she has forged a close friendship with Alison. Not only was she at her birthday party last month ((Phillip was notably absent), she has also introduced Alison to her ‘girl gang’, which includes former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

Another problem This Morning bosses are facing is losing Josie Gibson, 38, the hugely popular former Big Brother star who is a stand-in presenter, usually paired with Craig Doyle.

She is understood to be getting frustrated at not getting enough air time and is considering her options elsewhere.

Some of the show’s employees have also questioned why Alison didn’t stand in for Holly while she was sick. 

Presenting: Phillip was last week flanked by Rochelle Humes, 34, the singer-turned-presenter who he insisted covered for Holly

Last month, when Phillip took leave while his brother Timothy was on trial, Alison joined Holly for two days, which ITV bosses saw as a ‘massive triumph’.

Instead, Phillip was last week flanked by Rochelle Humes, 34, the singer-turned-presenter who he insisted covered for Holly.

He is thought to favour Rochelle, perhaps regarding her as more malleable, unlike his other forthright female television partners, which include Fern Britton and Amanda Holden.

And maybe Alison. Because perhaps the truth is that there isn’t room on the This Morning sofa for both Alison and Phil – or even Phil and Alison.