Hoda Kotb says Savannah Guthrie is taking 'well deserved time off' as star returns to work without co-host

Today viewers tuned in to watch their beloved hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb on the morning show on Wednesday, only to discover the latter was missing. 

While they introduced the duo in the lead up to the first segment of Today, Savannah was joined by someone else instead. 

The cameras panned round to see Savannah sitting next to another familiar face.

"Peter Alexander in for Hoda Kotb," she said as she welcomed her temporary co-star. 

Since it was Juneteenth, fans assumed Hoda had taken time off for the US holiday, but she confused them by reappearing for Today with Hoda & Jenna two hours later alongside Jenna Bush Hager. Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Craig Melvin, took the reins of the 3rd Hour.

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However, come Thursday's show, it was Savannah's time to step back. Hoda was joined by Craig Melvin and said Savannah was "taking some well deserved time off."

Savannah later posted a photo of what she was up to, and it looks positively dreamy. 

She shared an "out of office" photo on Instagram in which she was enjoying a glass of wine at a restaurant. Fans said she'd earned her mini-break and appreciated the peek into her life away from the studios. 

Hoda would have appreciated her lie the day before,  since she normally kick starts her day at 3.30 a.m. 

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She's previously confessed she gets up an hour earlier than needs to start the day peacefully. 

"I do 20 minutes of meditation, and I do some writing in my journal," she said d during an episode of her podcast, Making Space. "And I do (a spirit) check. Like, 'What does my spirit need today? What does my body need today?'

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"Sometimes I need a manicure. Sometimes I need to walk in nature. Sometimes I need a break. Sometimes I need a hot bath," she explained. "I’ll write down whatever (I need) in that moment."

Hoda spent the weekend celebrating Father's Day with her ex, Joel Schiffman. 

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She shared a sweet snapshot of her former fiance, with their daughters, Hope, four and Haley, seven, snuggling on the sofa at her waterfront home. 

She captioned the post: "Happy Father’s day to the best dad," and was immediately inundated with messages commending them for their successful co-parenting.

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The pair - who adopted their children together - parted ways at the beginning of 2022, but have maintained a wonderful friendship.