Rochelle Humes, Phillip Schofield and Dermot O’Leary join the This Morning gang for a festive knees up as they step out of restaurant for a smoke – but where is Holly Willoughby?

Rochelle Humes, Phillip Schofield and Dermot O’Leary all looked in good spirits as the This Morning crew got together for a festive gathering in Notting Hill on Friday afternoon.

The annual festive knees up came after Phil, 59, and his co-host Holly, 40, finished their presenting duties for the year ahead of their festive break. 

Despite kicking off her Christmas holiday, Holly was absent from the group as they dined at the Brasseria in swanky west London. 

Party: Rochelle Humes, Phillip Schofield and Dermot O’Leary looked in good spirits as the This Morning crew got together for a festive gathering in Notting Hill on Friday afternoon

The group all looked in very good spirits as they congregated outside for a smoke. 

Rochelle bundled up in a stylish checked coat as she puffed on a cigarette while having a laugh with her showbiz pals. 

She styled her brunette tresses in a chic plait which fell down her back.  

Phil, meanwhile, looked casual in blue jeans, a checked shirt and a blazer for the low-key occasion.  

Break: The annual festive knees up came after Phil, 59, and his co-host Holly, 40, finished their presenting duties for the year ahead of their festive break

Absent: Despite kicking off her Christmas holiday, Holly didn’t appear to be with the group as they dined at the Brasseria in swanky west London

The small gathering may have replaced a bigger party due to the current rising cases of Covid-19. 

Dermot looked dapper in a black roll neck and grey blazer, which he paired with matching trousers. 

Managing Director of Daytime at ITV Studios Emma Gormley was also in attendance and Phil was in deep conversation with the producer Martin Frizell. 

Having fun: The group all looked in very good spirits as they congregated outside for a smoke

Having a blast: Phil looked casual in blue jeans, a checked shirt and a blazer for the low-key occasion

Later on, staff from the restaurant delivered boxes of booze, including a crate of Stella Artois.  

Josie Gibson and Vernon Kay will be replacing Phil and Holly in the next week as the pair go on their break. 

Josie filled in for Holly last month when she was taken ill with a sickness bug. 

Low-key: The small gathering may have replaced a bigger party due to the current rising cases of Covid-19

Stylish: Rochelle bundled up in a stylish checked coat as she puffed on a cigarette while having a laugh with her showbiz pals

Stand ins: Josie Gibson and Vernon Kay will be replacing Phil and Holly in the next week as the pair go on their break

Phil and Holly will also appear in a pre-recorded segment which will air on Christmas Day. 

The party comes as Holly is set to address speculation that she is set to leave This Morning during an appearance on Saturday night’s episode of The Jonathan Ross Show.

She will discuss her reaction to reports that there will be a shake-up on the popular morning magazine show.

Smoking: Rochelle was surrounded by a cloud of smoke for much of the evening  

Colleagues: She was deep in conversation with a pal 

Happy: She smiled while holding the skinny cigarette in her hand 

Stylish: Dermot looked dapper in a black roll neck and grey blazer, which he paired with matching trousers

Happy: He seemed in good spirits as he walked down the street with his hand in his pocket 

Holly also references rumours about her and co-host Phillip going their separate ways and insists: ‘I can’t imagine a world without him being there’.

Last week Holly reportedly secured her place on This Morning for the next two years after signing a brand new contract.   

Holly, who joined the ITV daytime show in 2009 after taking over from Fern Britton, is said to be firmly ‘staying put’ after having signed a rolling contract until at least the end of 2023.

Chatting away: Managing Director of Daytime at ITV Studios Emma Gormley was also in attendance and Phil was in deep conversation with the producer Martin Frizell

Rumours: The party comes as Holly is set to address speculation that she is set to leave This Morning during an appearance on Saturday night’s episode of The Jonathan Ross Show

Discussing her own plans and comments about her leaving This Morning: ‘I never think like that. I feel very lucky to be on that show. The show changes so much, I think that’s the beauty of This Morning.  

‘Recently it’s had the highest ratings it’s had in 15 years. It’s doing really, really well which is extraordinary for a show that’s been around for as long as it has. And I think because it changes and it evolves and it adapts.

‘But I think that show has something to teach us a little bit; as long as we keep evolving and changing and moving on and happy to flow with things…’

Alleged: She will discuss her reaction to reports that there will be a shake-up on the popular morning magazine show

Staying put: Holly also references rumours about her and co-host Phillip going their separate ways and insists: ‘I can’t imagine a world without him being there’

Heading home? At the party, meanwhile, Rochelle and Emma walked down the street 

She adds: ‘I’m very lucky to work with Phil. I can’t imagine a world without him being there. It just wouldn’t be the same. The magic of that show is us two together when we’re together.  

‘Fridays are different – Dermot and Alison have their own unique magic. Co-hosts like that don’t come along very often. So when they do you have to hold tight.’

She adds of Phil: ‘I do really love him. I really love him. We’re lucky, we really are. I’ve read those things, too. It hurts sometimes, because it’s so unfair and untrue, so it’s difficult sometimes. We’re just incredibly lucky. So no, I’m not retiring, that’s a really long answer.’

Carrying on: They then stepped back into the restaurant to continue the celebrations 

Alcohol: Later on, staff from the restaurant delivered boxes of booze

Party: They carried in a crate of Stella Artois 

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