Famed for their light-hearted and infectious personalities, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield rarely hold back when it comes to their work. The This Morning co-hosts – who have been presenting the award-winning daytime show together for seven years – are often seen overcome with emotion when they are faced with real-life stories. Here at HELLO! Online we take a look back at their most emotional moments of this year.
1. The death of Holly's beloved cat RoxyIn October, Holly wiped away tears as she spoke about her beloved cat Roxy, who died unexpectedly. Making an emotional appearance on live television, the 35-year-old spoke about the moment she had to tell her young children that their family pet had passed away. "A really strange thing on Thursday night, she went to sleep, we came down in the morning and she passed away in her sleep," she said. "There had been nothing wrong with her. It was a real shock for everybody. She was a big part of the family, always been there for the kids." Fighting back the tears, the presenter then carried on saying: "As soon as I found out I thought, 'How am I going to tell the kids?' I said Roxy wasn't very well. She had a sister who died as a kitten, Peaches, so I said Peaches would be waiting for her in heaven. I think it helped them to know she won't be on her own."
Holly described how her children reacted after their pat cat Roxy died
2. Agony Aunt Denise Robertson's deathIn April, Holly and Phillip were left heartbroken when news of Agony Aunt Denise Robertson's death was announced. The This Morning presenters, who called in from their Easter breaks, paid an emotional tribute to the late TV star, who died following a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Holly told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsforn she found out the news the day before. "Hearing you guys talking makes it sound so real," she confessed. "She was a huge part of the family and when I started she welcomed me in with open arms and has been wonderful listening to my stories. Whatever she did on screen was the tip of the iceberg - she was a real fighter for everybody." Phillip added: "This is absolutely heartbreaking. Everybody wanted her to make it back to the sofa but deep down, we knew that she wouldn't make it back."
Agony Aunt Denise Robertson passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer
3. The first This Morning babyEarlier this month, Holly was overcome with emotion after she spent the morning with newborn babies and their mothers during a special episode of This Morning. The mother-of-three paid a visit to the maternity ward at St Thomas's Hospital, and enjoyed herself so much she even joked she might never return to her day job. "You've lost me. I'm not coming back," she told co-host Phillip Schofield via video link. "I'm so happy, I can't tell you! I might change jobs."
Isn't she just adorable? @hollywills got to meet newborn baby Mei during today's maternity special, who was born during today's show! ?? pic.twitter.com/bQBoJzJalk— This Morning (@thismorning) December 7, 2016
4. The pair thank viewers for their kindnessHolly broke down in tears once again when a mother described her fears over her young son's suicidal thoughts last month. Taking some time to reflect on the story the following day, the presenter and her co-host Phillip took to social media to thank viewers for their continuous kindness and support. In a Best Bit video, the popular TV duo told their fans how "incredible" they are. "It's true, you've absolutely surpassed yourself by getting involved with the show and offering help to people," noted Holly. Recalling the previous day's phone-in with a concerned mother, introduced as Rebecca, show host Phillip revealed that they had since been inundated with messages from viewers who had tuned in. "Yesterday we had Rebecca who phoned in about her son," he explained. "Her child was being bullied to such an incredible degree that she had to take the chord from his dressing gown. He was essentially a hermit inside the house as he was frightened to go school because he was afraid he was going to get beaten up. You just flooded us with messages. We found out some of the things that he likes and was interested in and we just sorted out so much stuff for him."
Holly and Phillip thanked viewers for their kindness
5. Reunited with cancer widowerThe mother-of-three struggled to hold back tears as she was reunited with a man who lost his wife to cancer. Holly welcomed author St John Greene, who she last met in 2012, to the show. The pair spoke about his book, The Mum's List, which was inspired by his wife's cancer battle and has been transformed into a film. Listening to what Singe had to say, Holly, who has three children of her own, became visibly tearful and welled up. "This list and this legacy for the boys and how they should live their lives, it was a list for us to do in our old age," said Singe. "But it's actually affected so many people around the planet. Everybody, make your own list! It's so cool." To which Holly noted: "I think that's why everyone needs to watch this film because… when I was watching last night, her message is that every moment is so important. You just don't know…"
Holly was reunited with a man who lost his wife to cancer