This Morning staff wanted Holly Willoughby to receive a 'big send-off'

The cast and crew of 'This Morning' wanted Holly Willoughby to receive a "big send-off".

Holly Willoughby

'This Morning' staff are unhappy that Holly Willoughby didn't get a "big send-off".

The 42-year-old star recently quit the ITV show after 14 years, and staff are said to be annoyed about the manner of her departure.

A source told OK!: "The staff really didn’t see Holly's exit coming.

"It’s such a huge shame she didn’t get the big send-off she deserved after 14 years on the sofa, but I’m sure they will all celebrate her time on the show privately."

The cast and crew regard Holly as a great professional and they're sad to see her leave the show.

The insider shared: "Holly is so professional and great at her job, but she is also hilarious."

Earlier this week, stand-in host Craig Doyle paid tribute to Holly on 'This Morning', saying that the cast and crew "loved" working with her.

Craig said: "On behalf of everyone here, in front and behind the camera, we just loved working with Holly. She made coming to work so much fun. We are really, really sad and we're really going to miss her."

Meanwhile, Kevin Lygo, ITV's managing director of media and entertainment, recently hailed Holly as "one of the best loved, respected and most accomplished broadcasters in the UK".

He added: "She has been at the heart of 'This Morning' for the past 14 years, and she is adored by our viewers.

"Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country's most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the programme will miss her enormously.

"She remains a much-loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future."