This Morning goes live with pared back crew as guests do their own makeup

ITV’s flagship daytime show This Morning adapted to the coronavirus pandemic for Wednesday’s show, revealing their crew numbers had been cut.

Hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby went live as normal at 10am but revealed they were operating with a pared back crew and admitted they are ‘holding on by the skin of our teeth.’ 

The stripped back crew included minimal camera operators and a reduced hair and makeup team, as guest Matthew Wright revealed he had to do his own makeup.

Matthew took part in the news review segment at the opening of the show with Anneka Rice and joked about his lack of makeup skills, before Phillip admitted the minimal staff rule also applied to the camera crew.  

‘I think the most important thing personally is that we have some kind of current affairs transmissions going on,’ said Matthew.  

 ‘I mean I can’t imagine no This Morning even though I’m aware that the staffing has been scaled right back. We do our own makeup, things are changing.’

‘The idea that we’d have no window on the world, I mean you guys have got to be here.’ 

Discussing the recent shutdown on BBC productions including EastEnders and Casualty, Phil warned: 

‘It’s bound to happen. We’re all holding on by the skin of our teeth.’

Later in the programme, Phil and Holly had to make do with the lack of cameras during a round of their popular Spin To Win game.

After joking that she wasn’t getting her closeups during the segment, Phil pointed out ‘we’re on limited cameras,’ before the cameraman moved from Phil to Holly.

‘You’ve got it now,’ Phil remarked as Holly gave a flirty wave. ‘I’ll jump in yours as well,’ she told her co-host.

‘That camera’s mine you keep out of it!’ replied Phil only for Holly to playfully block his shot.   

 he hosts also did their best to lift viewers’ spirits amid huge numbers self isolating by bringing some summer to screens.  

Referring to the fake London scene which is shown behind the hosts in the ITV studios, Phillip explained: 

‘You know when we had our studios down by the South Bank, our view was a real view and we’ve made no bones about the fact that these are screens now so therefore we have control over the screens.’

‘We have seasons, we recorded them all when we were there, we’ve even got snow. But we’ve decided, it’s winter time out there now but from now on everyday outside that window, until we come through this, is going to be summer.’

As the season magically changed, Holly remarked: ‘Instantly doesn’t that make you feel better? Just that bit of greenery just feels quite nice.’

‘If you’re self isolating, if you’re in a flat and you haven’t got access to an open window, use ours!’ 

Other ITV daytime shows have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid has been co-hosting from home after being forced to self-isolate after one of her children developed symptoms on Monday night.

Meanwhile Loose Women has been broadcasting live without a studio audience for the first time in its 20 year history.