Holly Willoughby returns to This Morning after her summer break as viewers demand ITV make Alison Hammond full-time lead presenter

Holly Willoughby returned to her role as ITV’s Queen Bee on the This Morning sofa on Monday after her eight-week summer break to present alongside Alison Hammond.

The 42-year-old TV presenter has embarked on her annual summer break, which has seen a number of stand-ins host the show.

However, many viewers at home were unhappy with her comeback and expressed their preference for other presenters such as Rochelle Humes and Josie Gibson, with some even suggesting that Alison should present alone.

One called her departure from the show “refreshing”, while others said it gave ITV bosses the perfect opportunity for a “fresh start”.

And with the National Television Awards being presented Tuesday night, some fans expressed hopes the show wouldn’t win given its scandalous year.

She is back! Holly Willoughby returned to the This Morning sofa on Monday after her eight-week summer break to give a lecture alongside Alison Hammond

Not impressed: However, many viewers at home were unhappy with her comeback and expressed a preference for other presenters such as Rochelle Humes and Josie Gibson, with some even suggesting that Alison should present alone

One fan tweeted: “I really loved Andy and Rochelle presenting #ThisMorning I really brought a new fun vibe to the show and I really liked that they got the crew involved. “Sorry not to see them on my TV this morning.”

Another asked: “Why can’t Josie and Craig present full time?” while a third demanded: “Get Rochelle back on.”

A fourth expressed his feelings when he wrote: “#thismorning hoped that day wouldn’t come. Don’t think they missed the opportunity to start over.

A fifth repeated: “Has there been a more hated TV show than this one?” ‘Summer is so refreshing without Holly.’

While a sixth commented: “Make Alison Hammond the hostess and kick Holly Willoughby out.”

A seventh roared: “Holly announce she’s leaving itv???” NO?? Oh, that’s a shame.’

And an eighth explained: “NTAs tomorrow – I will love it so much when #this morning don’t win’.

But others came to Holly’s defense and praised her return, one person writing: “I love these 2!!! I can finally enjoy this #this morning again. “Jealous trolls just stop.”

And another agreed, tweeting: “Welcome back @hollywills #this morning’.

Holly took to her Instagram ahead of the show to show off her outfit and express her anticipation of returning.

She wrote: ‘And just like that… it’s back to school… can’t wait to see you!!!’ @this morning’.

It hasn’t been a good year for This Morning after the Philip Schofield scandal rocked the show in early May.

Bosses reportedly fear the scandal will negatively impact their chances of winning the NTAs’ best daytime show for the 13th consecutive year.

The morning TV show competes against ITV sister show Loose Women, quiz favorites The Chase and BBC’s The Repair Shop for the prestigious prize.

After hosting the show for 21 years, Philip resigned from This Morning in May before admitting to having had a relationship with a much younger man who had worked with him on the show and later lying about it.

In a bombastic statement to the Daily Mail, the veteran TV presenter admitted he and the man had started a relationship that was more than just friendship. The ex-TV presenter describes this as “unwise, but not illegal”.

Schofield also admitted to lying to his employer ITV, his colleagues, his friends and his agents at management company YMU.

The scandal created chaos on the show and sparked ongoing allegations of a toxic culture behind the scenes at the show.

The claims come after it was revealed that Holly is finally the undisputed queen of ITV after the show unveiled its new trailer.

After the summer break, the new clip shows Holly She smiles for the cameras as she prepares to sit down on the famous This Morning sofa.

The decision to show the presenter alone is a clear signal that she is “queen bee”, ITV insiders say.

One told The Mail on Sunday: “Holly is the future and ITV wanted to make that clear.” It’s a sure sign she’s in charge and will be joined by the other presenters.

It’s a whole new beginning for This Morning, the scandal could have ruined it but it’s managed to move on. The excitement is great.’

Holly appears twice in the trailer, which also promotes Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Loose Women.

Her solo appearance in the trailer stands in stark contrast to previous years’ promotional material, which showed her to be the joint stars of This Morning alongside Schofield.