Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield get into the festive spirit as they down SHOTS and play hilarious games in This Morning’s Christmas special
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield put on a festive display as they delight viewers with a star-studded Christmas edition of This Morning.
The blonde beauty, 40, and her presenting partner, 59, appear to be having a blast as they play some hilarious games with Josie Gibson in the pre-recorded show, which will air on Christmas Day.
Alongside celebrity interviews, a cocktail-making masterclass, and a touching gift exchange, Holly and Phil join Josie and chef Gino D’Acampo for an amusing drinking game which sees them down shots after trying to squat a pen into a bottle.
Pals: Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield put on a very festive display during Saturday’s Christmas special of This Morning
As the show kicks off, things get awkward when singer Aled Jones appears with the belief that he was booked as the show’s musical act.
Asked what he was doing here, Aled says: ‘I’ve come to get the Christmas show on the road. It’s taken loads of rehearsal but I’m ready to bring – wait for it – Walking In the Air back especially for you two…’
Before the track fully kicks in Phillip says: ‘Um, Aled, I’m sorry, there’s a possibility we might have to stop there for a second… I’m sorry, but we’ve actually booked Leona Lewis! Someone should’ve told you.’
Trying hard not to laugh, Aled replies: ‘So you don’t need me? Maybe I’ll just go back here and carry on rehearsing… you never know… [singing in a high pitched tone] We’re walking in the air…. Still got it!’
Having a blast! With Gino D’Acampo joining in, the foursome proceed to squat over a bottle to see who could get a pen inside, before moving on to a toy car shot drinking game
Hilarious: The blonde beauty, 40, and her presenting partner, 59, appear to be having a blast as they play some rather alternative games with Josie Gibson
Uh-oh! Things get awkward when singer Aled Jones appears with the belief that he was booked as the show’s musical act
Mistake! When asked what he was doing here, Aled says: ‘I’ve come to get the Christmas show on the road. It’s taken loads of rehearsal but I’m ready to bring – wait for it – Walking In the Air back especially for you two…’
As well as two wintry outside performances by the talented Leona, Gyles Brandreth delivers his best Christmas cracker jokes, while Gino serves up a festive feast.
Phillip and Holly then give the chance for some families living in Australia the opportunity to send their wishes back home to loved ones in the UK, leaving Phillip saying: ‘That was really emotional.’
The first sofa guest sees Joel Dommett discuss the third series of The Masked Singer.
He reveals: ‘I’m so excited. It was the first time we had an audience, because in the first series they didn’t really know what the show was, then the second series was Covid protocols and then the third series… just the joy in the room was insane!’
Awkward: Before the track could fully kick in Phillip says: ‘Um, Aled, I’m sorry, there’s a possibility we might have to stop there for a second… I’m sorry, but we’ve actually booked Leona Lewis! Someone should’ve told you
Funny: Trying hard not to laugh, Aled says: ‘So you don’t need me? Maybe I’ll just go back here and carry on rehearsing… you never know… [singing in a high pitched tone] We’re walking in the air…. Still got it!’
Beaming: Despite the mishap, Aled seems to take things quite well
Adorable: Phillip and Holly then give the chance for some families living in Australia the opportunity to send their wishes back home to loved ones in the UK
On knowing who is involved in this series, Joel smiles: ‘They are so good! The costumes are amazing… you go into the costume department and you can tell they are having the time of their lives!’
The team then sit down to open gifts from one another, with one gift in particular leaving Gino speechless for a moment when he realises his painting was made using the manhood of a former This Morning guest!
But some of the gifts were better received, including one from Holly where she recorded a special poem with Tom Foolery for Phillip.
Emotional: Phillip was left to say: ‘That was really emotional’
Gorgeous: Holly looks trendy in a green puff-sleeved top and a red plaid midi skirt
Lady in red: Josie puts on an unmissable display in a striking strawberry red dress
Aw: But some of the gifts were better received, including one from Holly where she recorded a special poem with Tom Foolery for Phillip
Later in the show, Alison Hammond pays a visit to one of their favourite Dosh on Your Doorstep contestants by giving her another surprise.
Chef Clodagh McKenna delivers a cocktail masterclass, stating: ‘I make this cocktail every single year and it will definitely give you a kick for Christmas!’
Other guests include former child star Mara Wilson and Frozen The Musical’s Samantha Barks.
Samantha Barks admits, ‘I feel so lucky I get to be Elsa! It’s the role that when I told my parents that I had, they just screamed. It’s iconic… and [on stage] they’ve created some real theatrical magic. There are so many surprises along the way.’
Excited: The first sofa guest sees Joel Dommett discuss the third series of The Masked Singer
Coming soon: He revealed, ‘I’m so excited. It was the first time we had an audience, because in the first series they didn’t really know what the show was’
Woah: ‘Then the second series was Covid protocols and then the third series… just the joy in the room was insane!’
Teasing: On knowing who is involved in this series, Joel smiles, ‘They are so good!’
In his element: ‘The costumes are amazing… you go into the costume department and you can tell they are having the time of their lives!’
Whilst Mara confesses of Miracle on 34th Street, ‘I didn’t really realise as a kid the magnitude of it… I didn’t think people would be watching it at Christmas many years later. So it’s really an honour to me as an adult.
‘I’m incredibly grateful to have taken part in something that is part of people’s family traditions… and Susan [her character] was supposed to be a boy, it’s true!
‘I think I might still have some scripts that still say Jonathan. When I auditioned it was under the name Jonathan…and I got cast and they changed it to Susan.’
Centre of attention: Phil and Holly appear to be having a blast as they play a game
Chic: Holly is gifted with a cream knitted sweater from her pal Phillip, to match one worn by her beloved new puppy Bailey
Reaction: The team then sit down to open gifts from one another, with one gift in particular leaving Gino speechless for a moment when he realises his painting was made using the manhood of a former This Morning guest!
Cute: Holly is also joined by her beloved pet Bailey on the set
On also getting the iconic Matilda role, Mara says, ‘My mother actually used to read it aloud at my brother’s school.
‘I remember once when I was maybe about three years old and I was ill and my mum didn’t have anyone to be a nanny for me, so she took me to school and put me at the back of the classroom whilst she read it aloud to the class, and I was just entranced.
‘I thought this is the best book ever!’
Joker: Gino wears a shirt featuring a set of printed washboard abs
What’s this? Phil and Holly are unable to see what they were touching inside the red boxes
Serious: The gang look on in anticipation as Josie has a go at a game
Frazzled: Holly shoots a frazzled look as she dips her hands into a dessert
On keeping her feet on the ground despite worldwide fame and quitting acting at 12, Mara reveals, ‘My parents really did their best to keep me grounded.
‘I still shared a room with my sister, I still went to the local primary school, I still had normal friends, and actually where I grew up [Los Angeles] child acting wasn’t that strange.
‘We all knew kids that did commercials or plays and my father worked at a television studio, but after a while I wanted to be a normal kid. I wanted to do other things.’
Star-studded: Other guests include former child star Mara Wilson and Frozen The Musical’s Samantha Barks (pictured)
Talented: Samantha Barks admits, ‘I feel so lucky I get to be Elsa! It’s the role that when I told my parents that I had, they just screamed. It’s iconic… and [on stage] they’ve created some real theatrical magic. There are so many surprises along the way.’
Beaming: The team certainly appear to be in high spirits as they beam from ear-to-ear
Funny: Aled continues with his attempt to perform by appearing as a choir boy and a snowman, before finally being allowed to welcome 13-year-old Isaac Lancel-Watkinson to perform Waking in the Air from The Snowman
Of now working behind the camera writing and producing, Mara smiles, ‘I do more behind the scenes work these days, I also do a lot of voice over acting, I love doing audio books, I love doing animation.
‘It doesn’t matter what you look like, what your height is or your age, you can just be anyone or anything, and that I think is the most fun!’
Aled continues with his attempt to perform by appearing as a choir boy and a snowman, before finally being allowed to welcome 13-year-old Isaac Lancel-Watkinson to perform Waking in the Air from The Snowman.
Before the festive show ends, Phillip and Holly battle it out with Steve Wilson in a Christmas Showdown where they answer questions based on previous items and guests that had happened throughout the year on This Morning.
After carrying out a hilarious touch and taste test, the duo give their final Christmas wishes to viewers, with Holly saying, ‘We’ll be back in the new year!’
Watch This Morning’s Christmas Day show on Saturday 25th December from 10am on ITV and ITV Hub.
Looking good: This Morning’s studio is suddenly transformed by one click of Father Christmas’ fingers
Source: Read Full Article