This Morning presenters have been left gobsmacked after their co-star Holly Willoughby stepped down from her presenting position after 14 years on Tuesday 10 October, insiders tell OK!

The TV personality, 42, announced that she was parting ways with the popular ITV show via a social media statement, sharing that the decision was for the sake of herself and her family – following a tumultuous year personally and professionally.

While it was a surprise to viewers of the daytime TV show, no one was more shocked than Holly's fellow presenters. A source explained: "Everyone on the presenter roster was so shocked when Holly made the announcement on Instagram.

The source continued: "They all understand this decision must have been so difficult to make, but is the right one if it means it keeps her and her family safe and happy. The team will miss her so much. Holly is so professional and great at her job, but she is also hilarious."

It is not yet known who will take over from Holly, who previously co-hosted alongside shamed presenter Phillip Schofield. Personalities such as Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson, Ben Shepherd and Dermot O'Leary are all thought to be in the running.

Holly decided to step down from being at the helm of This Morning after a year from hell, which saw her blasted by the public for reportedly skipping the queue to see the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state in September last year and then earlier this year became embroiled in a rumoured feud with This Morning co-host Phillip before he left the popular show and admitted to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a much younger colleague.

Sharing her decision to let go of the show with her 8.5M followers this week, Holly wrote: “I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning. To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much.

“This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive.

"To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You’ve been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.

“Richard and Judy said ‘we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers’. It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go.

“Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family. I will miss you all so much. Holly”

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