This Morning: Viewers say Holly Willoughby is ‘visibly uncomfortable’ as she returns with Phillip Schofield

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield returned to This Morning today (May 15), with the pair continuing to co-host the show despite ongoing rumours of a rift between them.

American composer Alan Menken opened the show with a stint on the piano, with Schofield saying: “What a way to start your Monday this morning!” before turning to his co-host telling her the music was “right up your street.”

The opening section of the show saw Holly and Phillip stand close together and joking with each other despite the continuous rumours that have plagued the pair over the last week.

Viewers took to Twitter to voice their opinion on their return, with one user saying: “Phil and Holly are both really nervous. Their voices are shaking.” Another shared the same opinion, saying: “Holly and Phil. It is so awkward.”

Phil and Holly were joined by Gyles Brandreth and Camilla Tominey to discuss the major talking points from Eurovision. One viewer said they should “count themselves lucky so they have something talk about other than their feud.”

Another person watching took to social media commenting on how uncomfortable Holly looked, saying: “Phillip Schofield thinks he can fool us this fake nice ‘everything is fine act’ when Holly looks visibly uncomfortable being there”.

Rumours began to emerge last week that the relationship between the two was ‘under strain’ and that they ‘barely speak’ off camera. It’s reported that Holly was ‘blindsided’ by a statement released by her co-host.

In a statement, Schofield told a national newspaper: "As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends - as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.

"Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.

"My family went through a real ordeal, and Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me - as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers."

Schofield and Willoughby haven’t been pictured in some time, and have even reportedly cancelled their annual holidays together with rift rumours still rife.