After getting used to seeing Holly Willoughby for hours on TV each morning, fans of ITV's Midsomer Murders were left disappointed with her cameo in the series.
Willoughby has well and truly cemented herself as a fixture of daytime television thanks to her role on This Morning, so fans were curious to see her take on a fictional role when she announced she'd be appearing in an episode of the long-running ITV drama series on Sunday (27 August).
The appearance came after Willoughby's involvement in Midsomer Murders was first teased two years ago, when stars Neil Dudgeon and Nick Hendrix offered the presenter a role in an episode.
Clearly excited about the opportunity, Willoughby encouraged people to watch her in the show as she shared the synopsis for the episode, titled The Witches of Angels Rise.
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"Each year, the Midsomer village of Angel’s Rise hosts an annual Psychic Fayre in the vast and gothic Eddon Hall," Willoughby explained.
"Founded by the Saint-Stephens family in memory of their late daughter, the event attracts all manner of mediums, psychics and followers of the occult. When a body is found surrounded by ritual symbols on the eve of the gathering, Barnaby must step into a world of self-proclaimed witches to find the killer."
Willoughby admitted her role was a 'blink and you'll miss it cameo', but after the episode aired last night a number of viewers made clear they weren't happy with the way the role had played out.
Many indicated Willoughby's appearance was too short, suggesting some of her scenes had been cut from the show.
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"I'm guessing Holly Willoughby has ended up on the cutting room floor. I've seen her talking part on YouTube, and it was more than "excuse me"," one viewer wrote.
Another added: "Was that Holly Willoughby's "acting debut"? A walking part? #MidsomerMurders."
Other fans criticised the short scene for using forced dialogue when Willoughby's character was referred to as 'the Queen of the Day', potentially in reference to her popularity as a daytime television host.
"Oh yeah, on ITV you’ll see top quality, non-coercive, real dialogue," one sarcastic viewer wrote.
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Thankfully there were some people excited to see Willoughby on the series, with many fans congratulating the presenter and sharing in her excitement after she wrote about the cameo on Instagram.
"Brilliant loved you. Think you should have a recurring part," one fan commented, while another added: "You was amazing!!! Even the experienced actors are cheesy but that is why I love midsummer [sic]. You seemed so natural, was great!!!!"
Though the cameo might not have been for everyone, Willoughby described the experience as a 'dream come true'.
Topics: TV and Film, Holly Willoughby, Viral
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Emily Brown