Rochelle Humes made her debut as Holly Willoughby’s replacement on Monday’s episode of This Morning.
The former Saturdays singer and Ninja Warrior UK presenter will join Phillip Schofield on This Morning while Holly is over in Australia for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
As the show began, Rochelle revealed Phil had played a joke on her seconds before they went on air.
A laughing Phillip then explained: “The music came on and I said, ‘Right, you feeling okay?’ She said yes and I said, ‘Okay, good luck’ [and walked off set].”
Rochelle agreed: “I was like, come back, don’t leave me!”
She then told Phillip: “I’m okay. When you’re at home and the kids have gone to school, you’re doing the breakfast, the This Morning theme song is just what you want to hear. But when you’re here it’s a terrifying sound, isn’t it?”
Phil assured her: “It will wear off, it’s fine!”
He added: “Welcome. We’ll have fun and it’s nice to have you here.”
Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to share their verdict on Rochelle, who will cover for Holly for the next month while Holly is filming I’m A Celebrity.
Read more: First I’m A Celebrity trailer ahead of Holly Willoughby’s debut
Plenty loved the new partnership of Rochelle and Phil, saying they liked Rochelle’s presenting style and chemistry with Phillip.
Others said everyone should wait a few days to deliver a true verdict, suggesting Rochelle, 29, would understandably be nervous on her first day on such an iconic show.
I like Rochelle on #thismorning, doesn’t make everything all about herself!
— Catherine Ross (@Lilacrose109) October 29, 2018
@thismorning how WONDERFUL to welcome Rochelle-such a truly NATURAL presenter-relaxed & GENUINE-unlike other choices-she takes PRESENTING to credible levels&never SELF-imposes over the job in hand.Well done ITV-she is a shining star-a must-have-more-of item to keep note of-Ellen
— Ellen Ockendon (@EllenOckendon) October 29, 2018
Well done @RochelleHumes on your first @thismorning show, you seem right at home, and you can see you and @Schofe have a good connection #ThisMorning
— Ashley Gardner (@ashley1413) October 29, 2018
Will people give poor @RochelleHumes a bloody chance. First day nerves may have played a part in today. I personally think she did well!! #ThisMorning
— Sarah (@Sazzle72Saz) October 29, 2018
@RochelleHumes doing a lovely job on her first day @thismorning ☺️
— Nicola Coles (@Niccoles11Coles) October 29, 2018
Other viewers, however, were quick to voice their uncertainty about Rochelle taking on Holly’s role, saying they “couldn’t warm” to her yet and missed Holly.
https://twitter.com/mrsp1974/status/1056872077523910656
I just can’t warm to Rochelle presenting #ThisMorning
— Bent Neck Lady (@seanpic__) October 29, 2018
40 minutes in and I’m already irritated by Rochelle (@RochelleHumes) who’s started every sentence with “yes…” and ended each segment with inane laughter. This isn’t her first rodeo so whyyyy is she suddenly so bad at this? #thismorning
— Sofia Petkar (@SophiePetkar) October 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/emmacox9/status/1056861581110374400
I love Rochelle but I just think stepping into Holly’s shoes is just too big for her #ThisMorning
— Louisa Lawrence (@loulaw22) October 29, 2018
Off for half term and watching #ThisMorning and just confused as to why they couldn’t get a better replacement for holly over the next few months? Can’t be the only one who just doesn’t think Rochelle is good enough for the main presenter role?
— maria ☆ (@_mariiaax) October 29, 2018
Other viewers spoke out to suggest other possible presenters they felt would have been a good choice besides Rochelle.
I'd rather have Gok than Rochelle #thismorning
— Emily (@Emilysm34286624) October 29, 2018
#ThisMorning think Sarah Greene would have been a better option than Rochelle. @thismorning never listens to what viewers want though
— Jas1 Deeley (@jasminedeed) October 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/bramwell_ashley/status/1056867616290152448
Rochelle is no stranger to This Morning as she often presents the fashion slot and has stepped in as a guest presenter while Holly and Phil are on holiday.
Holly, meanwhile, celebrated her last day at This Morning earlier this month.
She and Phillip had last week off for half-term and while Phil returned to the sofa alongside Rochelle on Monday, Holly is packing her bags and getting ready to fly to Australia.
The 37-year-old has been enlisted to cover for Ant McPartlin on this year’s show, after Ant decided to take time out from work commitments to focus on his well-being.
Read more: Holly Willoughby screams in terror during Bush Tucker Trial
She’ll co-host the ITV flagship show alongside Dec Donnelly.
Holly said earlier this year: “I couldn’t be more excited to have been asked to stand alongside Dec for the next jungle adventure. I love Ant and want to send him my best wishes and support for a continued recovery.
“These are big shoes, not to fill, but just to keep warm for a little bit. Honestly, I’m a huge fan of I’m a Celebrity and actually feel like I’ve won a competition to go and hang out on my favourite show.”
Did you enjoy Rochelle and Phillip’s partnership on This Morning? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!