Holly Willoughby made her debut presenting This Morning today — and confessed she was nervous taking over from Fern Britton.

Off to work: Holly Willoughby leaves home today

Looking stunning in a white dress, she clutched co-host Phillip Schofield as the ITV1 show began and joked that she was “holding on very tightly”.

The 28-year-old former model also admitted to having had anxiety dreams about her first show, describing it as “like Christmas Eve, horrid but brilliantly exciting”.

But she seemed to relax as Schofield, 47, read out several good luck messages from viewers.

Willoughby was announced as the magazine show's new presenter shortly after Britton, 52, quit in July following 10 years as co-host.

Although reports at the time suggested Britton was unhappy at being paid less and having a lower profile than Schofield, she denied the claims and insisted she was leaving because she was “ready for a change”.

After landing the job, Willoughby said: “This Morning has always been the ultimate dream job for me.

“To spend my days sat next to Phil on the sofa just makes it that bit extra special. Now I just can't wait for it all to start.

“Of course it's scary taking over from someone people loved so much. And rightly so. The only thing you can do is not try to recreate something that has been. Be yourself and start something new.”

It is the second time she has worked alongside Schofield, having been his co-host on ITV's celebrity talent show Dancing On Ice. “Having worked together before helps,” she said.

Among the guests on Willoughby's first This Morning today were freed Liverpool fan Michael Shields, actor Neil Morrissey and re-formed singing group the Nolan Sisters.