Holly Willoughby had tears streaming down her face as This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield presented her with an early birthday present today (Thursday 7 February).
The TV presenter, who will turn 37 on Sunday, admitted she felt “weirdly emotional” when Phillip revealed he had organised a little surprise for her…
Read more: This Morning fans divided over Holly Willoughby’s ‘mismatched’ outfit
And by little, we mean, four tiny Pomeranian puppies. Has the word ‘awwww’ ever been more appropriate?!
As Holly looked on with her hand over her mouth in genuine surprise, Phillip welcomed the cluster of pups into the studio as they were wheeled in on a bicycle’s basket.
Holly immediately welled up with tears, before asking if she could hold one.
Read more: Piers Morgan reveals cheeky remark Phil Schofield said to him after This Morning beat GMB at NTAs
Phillip revealed that the bundles of fluff were eight weeks old, and that one was named Coco. Holly was allowed to name the other three, who were boys, and started with Bertie.
Mum-of-three Holly said: “Oh my god. There they are, they’re so cute, this is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Clearly falling in love with the pooches, Holly looked thrilled when Phil told her: “You can play with them through the whole show.”
When Holly asked if she “had to give them back?”, Phil replied: “We’ll see.”
He joked that Holly’s husband Dan Baldwin was “fine” with the new additions, laughing: “That’s your present. No they are all yours! Dan is fine with it!”
However she insisted he would NOT be fine with it at all. But looking at the camera later in the show, she said: “If my husband is watching, darling please!”
The gift follows a segment last week when Holly met a rescue pup and was reduced to floods of tears.
Most fans were just as enamoured with the pups as Holly, with one saying: “Holly, keep the pup, so cute.”
Another said: “I need them puppies!!! @thismorning @hollywills @Schofe Holly please take one home.”
A third added: “I absolutely love Phil and Holly’s friendship. He bought her a puppy for her birthday how cute is that? I wish someone would do that for me! #ThisMorning.”
“As someone who shares Holly’s birthday, I can only agree… YES to the puppy! I’d love one too Really cheering me up as I sit here with the dreaded lurgy, soooo beautiful!!” said another doggy lover.
#ThisMorning as someone who shares Holly's birthday, I can only agree… YES to the puppy! I'd love one too 😍 Really cheering me up as I sit here with the dreaded lurgy, soooo beautiful!!
— Karen Galloway (@klg366) February 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/shanaskimming_/status/1093493509217312769
Holly keep the pup 🐶 so cute x
— Emma Weedall (@EmmaWeedall2) February 7, 2019
I need them puppies!!! 🥰🥰🥰 @thismorning @hollywills @Schofe holly please take one home
— sian crooks (@sian_080) February 7, 2019
However, others criticised the show, insisting a dog is for life and not just a toy.
One wrote: “Shame on you Schofield for gifting live pup(s) to Holly on This Morning, which she declined at the end!! Encouraging this sort of disregard for animals is unforgiveable.”
Another said: “Cannot believe you think it’s appropriate to use puppies as gifts to ‘play with’.”
Yet another blasted the show, saying: “Promoting the idea that puppies are great presents is hugely irresponsible but, as you say, Holly gets what Holly wants! #thismorning.”
@thismorning Happy Birthday Holly but I’m disgusted they are using Puppies! There are so many Dogs in Rescue Centres this would have been a marvellous way to publicise them and I’m sure Holly would have appreciated it the same. Shame on you!!! I normally love the Show! Take care
— Tricia Kemish (@PAK1) February 7, 2019
cannot believe you think it appropriate to use puppies as gifts to 'play with'.
— Tudalen (@Tudalen) February 7, 2019
@ITV shame on you schofield gifting live pup(s) to holly on this morning which she declined at end!! Encouraging this sort of disregard for animals is unforgiveable plus that pup in his car advert we buy any CAR whoops! PUP
— Angela Egan (@gower99) February 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/SolarFeelling/status/1093468285692243968
Another was “disgusted” that the show was using puppies with so many dogs in rescue centres.
Whether Holly will get her way and take home a puppy remains to be seen, but we think her husband might have got the hint by now!
Did you like the doggy visit, or agree that it’s irresponsible? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!