Following Phillip Schofield’s shock exit last month, Josie Gibson has stepped up and blown This Morning viewers away with her down-to-earth and relatable humour and endearing presenting style.
Sitting beside Holly Willoughby for support during her emotional speech on her first day back at the show earlier this month, Josie rubbed her pal’s back and pulled her in for a cuddle, before presenting the show alongside her – with one fan describing the former Big Brother star as “sunshine on the TV”.
And while she’s been thriving in her presenting role recently, it’s clear that industry insiders have also been bowled over by Josie, 38, after she was spotted schmoozing with some of TV’s biggest power players last week.
Posing for a selfie with ITV’s Managing Director Kevin Lygo, Jonathan Ross and Loose Women’s Charlene White – who called Josie “adorable, brilliant, wonderful and kind” – Josie was also spotted giggling and chatting with BGT star and presenter Amanda Holden.
And while they appeared to be enjoying each other’s company at Royal Ascot, their show of friendship could cause controversy behind the scenes, as Amanda, 52, has infamously been embroiled in a five-year-long feud with Josie’s former colleague Phil, as well as very recently being accused of appearing to mock Holly following her speech about the scandal earlier this month.
And insiders say Josie and Amanda’s new closeness has made Holly feel “fragile and fearful”.
A source says, “Josie’s increased closeness with Amanda has left Holly a bit put out. She’s already feeling fragile at the moment, given all that’s happened, and she’s trying to move on from everything that’s happened. Josie’s been an amazing support to her and someone to lean on. And while she adores Josie, her spending time with Amanda and acting like BFFs, after Amanda seemed to publicly mock her at her most vulnerable, has left Holly feeling wary and fearful that they could grow closer.
“Meanwhile, Josie and Amanda really enjoyed spending time together. They hit it off at Ascot and got on like a house on fire. And it certainly hasn’t gone over their heads that they are both potentially waiting in the wings, should Holly leave, and that they could find themselves as a duo on the This Morning sofa at some point in the future.”
Holly, 42, returned to the show two weeks after Phil’s relationship with a young runner hit headlines and he resigned from the show.
And Amanda seemed to make her thoughts on the whole scandal clear when, after Holly delivered a heartfelt statement where, dressed in white, she asked viewers, “Are you OK? I hope so”, Amanda then appeared to parody Holly’s speech, sharing a video of herself dressed in white asking, “Are you OK?” She later took the post down and strongly denied she had mocked Holly.
Phil’s permanent replacement is still undecided – with Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Craig Doyle and even Amanda herself said to be in the running.
But Josie – who first joined the ITV daytime show in 2019 as a competition announcer but has worked her way up to the top spot – is a fan favourite. After stepping up to present the show regularly over the past four weeks, viewers have praised her happy-go-lucky personality, with one writing, “Josie is a breath of fresh air – get her on permanently!”
Josie – who shares son Reggie, four, with her ex Terry – has also had a serious glow-up in recent weeks, and has been following in the footsteps of Holly, sharing stunning Instagram snaps of her outfit choices ahead of each This Morning appearance.
Now a source says Josie could be the one to scoop Holly’s crown and become the new darling of daytime TV.
The insider reveals, “Josie is coming up behind Holly and many are saying she’s already set to be ITV’s new golden girl.
“Everything she touches right now seems to turn to gold – with praise pouring in for her presenting skills and outfits, and offers flooding in for her to host big shows that would usually have been offered to Holly.
“While Josie adores Holly and is keen not to intentionally step on her toes – especially after everything she’s been through – she is also clinging to every opportunity that comes her way and it’s fuelling her ambition to get to the top.”
And the insider adds that while Holly is comfortable back on the sofa, she’s aware of calls for her to go – and is nervous about the prospect of Josie usurping her.
The source says, “While Holly loves Josie, at the same time there is an underlying element of competition between them, and with that comes some rivalry, too. And Holly admits it’s healthy rivalry, but nonetheless it’s clear she’s worried about her future and sees Josie as a big threat – perhaps her biggest yet.
“So Holly is just getting her head down, continuing to present This Morning as she always has and promoting wellbeing and positivity on her Instagram page to win back fans following the biggest scandal of her career to date.”