Josie Gibson is rushed in to replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning as the presenter is struck down by stomach bug
Josie Gibson stepped in to replace Holly Willoughby at the last minute on Tuesday's episode of This Morning, after she was struck down with a stomach bug.
Co-host Phillip Schofield revealed his usual co-presenter Holly would 'probably be back tomorrow', as he welcomed Josie- who works as a roving reporter on the brunchtime programme - to the iconic sofa.
The former Big Brother star, 36, was completely shocked by her sudden promotion, saying: 'I couldn't believe it... I thought they had the wrong number, Phil. I said, "You've phoned Josie."'
'This is a bit of a first!': Josie Gibson stepped in to replace Holly Willoughby at the last minute on Tuesday's episode of This Morning, after she was struck down with a stomach bug
Explaining the sudden host swap, Phil said: 'This is a bit of a first! About an hour ago you were on your way to do our live competitions in Surrey.
'Holly is not here today because she's got a tummy bug. Nothing more than that, she's probably back tomorrow. But you [Josie] were parachuted in.'
Josie thought the This Morning bosses had phoned the wrong person when they asked if she wanted to step in for Holly at the last minute.
She gushed: 'How surreal. I've grown up watching the show and now I'm sat alongside you.'
Comeback: Co-host Phillip Schofield revealed his usual co-presenter Holly would 'probably be back tomorrow' after she recovered from her illness
Josie continued: 'I've been thrown in the deep end, but I've got the best armbands on the planet. That's what I say.
'Phil - I just cannot believe I'm sat here, it is so surreal. I've grown up watching you, it's just crazy. What an honour.'
And Phil admitted something 'really weird' happened on Monday night, in which a widow in her 80s, Margaret prophesied Josie would host the show.
Margaret previously appeared on the programme when Josie went on a walk with her, because she was feeling lonely.
'I couldn't believe it': Josie thought the This Morning bosses had phoned the wrong person when they asked if she wanted to step in for Holly at the last minute
The widow had told Josie she would receive a phone call this morning asking her if she wanted to co-host the show.
Josie revealed: 'I always check in on her. Margaret is such a character. I gave her a call last night and she said, "Josie, you know I'm quite spiritual. You're going to get a call and you're going to be presenting This Morning."
'I laughed like a drain. That was last night, and this morning I had the phone call.
'She said, "I'm a little bit witchy, I've just got this sixth sense that you're going to get a phone call to tell you you're going to present 'This Morning"'
'I laughed like a barrel...Weird,' she added of the eerie coincidence.
Eerie: Phil admitted something 'really weird' happened on Monday night, in which a widow in her 80s, Margaret prophesied Josie would host the show
