EMOTIONAL Holly Willoughby was "desperate for a hug" as she sat away from Phillip Schofield on This Morning today.

The presenters respected social distancing as they hosted the ITV show live after Lorraine and Loose Women were cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak.

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Phil opened the show as she told viewers today: "Still here. But you might notice something a bit different as we are sitting far apart as per government guidelines."

Holly, 39, added: "Yes we are but do you know what, I am really looking forward to that moment just to be able to give you a big hug because it’s the one thing I think we really need right now.

"But we are here and trying to keep you company and lift spirits for people at home."

Holly said she had been social distancing at home over the weekend and refused to visit her mother on Mothering Sunday.

But she revealed they had spoken on the phone, adding: "I did the group chat thing on WhatsApp with my sister and mum which was really nice, because it does make you appreciate the special moments."

The broadcaster is trying to maintain the safety of staff while keeping the show on air.

The channel said  it had made the decision to protect Good Morning Britain and This Morning and cancel Lorraine and Loose Women in an effort to keep those live shows on air for as long as possible.

Instead Lorraine Kelly will join Piers Morgan for the last hour of Good Morning Britain and the channel will air repeat episodes of Loose Women.

The decision had been made to minimise the number of staff travelling in and out of our studios and working together on shift at any one time – meaning it was impossible for the shows to go on.

A spokesman said: "We're focusing our efforts on providing to viewers the latest news on the rapidly changing situation which aims to offer some stability and continuity in all our lives whilst so many of us are at home right now.

"That’s why we have taken this tough decision to protect our GMB News programme in the morning and keep This Morning on air for as long as possible.

"From Monday we will be running an extended version of Good Morning Britain from 0600 until 10am.

"At 9am Lorraine Kelly will join Piers in the GMB studio for the last hour and then hand straight over to the This Morning studio with Phillip and Holly as usual running from 10am until 1230pm.

"We will then run some of our most favourite repeat episodes of Loose Women from 12.30pm to 1.30pm to give viewers something to smile about each day at lunchtime.

"We have been reducing our crew numbers over the last week and these changes will enable us to reduce them further and help us build further resilience with the aim of Daytime content continuing to air for as long as possible.

"Safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved with our programmes is our priority and in this dynamically developing situation we will obviously continue to review these new arrangements on a day by day basis and follow at all times the latest PHE and WHO guidelines."

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