So, here’s to the next 30 years . . . This Morning celebrates three decades on TV. We look back at the highlights

With the help of some of the country’s most loved presenters, it has attracted all kinds of celebrity guests and never fails to leave audiences surprised.

There have been too many jaw-dropping moments, gaffes and giggles to list them all, let’s be honest.

So instead, here’s a snapshot of the best bits from three decades of This Morning.

Current presenting duo Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby have become household names thanks to their work on the show (and the fact they often burst into laughter, or tears, that can’t be stopped).

Stellar line-Up

Before Holly and Phil took up their spots on the famous couch, a host of other well-known faces have presented This Morning.

Husband-and-wife team Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan helped make This Morning the national institution it is (remember Richard’s Ali G impression back in 2001, complete with a yellow tracksuit and drawn-on beard?)

It was over to John Leslie and Fern Britton when the pair left, while names such as Twiggy, Lorraine Kelly and Coleen Nolan have also fronted the show.

Ruth Langsford, who’s been presenting This Morning for 11 years, is a firm fan favourite, especially when co-presenting with her hubbie Eamonn Holmes, which happens regularly. The extent they wind one another up makes for some memorable clips.

When Phil and Holly are away, a range of celebs take their place – this summer saw the likes of Amanda Holden and Rylan Clark-Neal, and Nigel Havers and Lisa Snowdon, step in.

Not forgetting notable This Morning sidekicks over the years, such as Dr Chris Steele – who has worked on the show since it first started – and the much-loved late agony aunt, Denise Robertson.

Star turns

A documentary airing on ITV in October, called This Morning – 30 Unforgettable Years, explores the legacy of the show, and features clips of guests such as Hugh Jackman, Robbie Williams, David Gandy, Bradley Walsh and Keith Lemon.

But that’s just touching the surface when it comes to stars who’ve gone on This Morning for a chat.

Brummie showbiz reporter Alison Hammond has had some particularly exciting interviews – one with Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford went viral, becoming one of the most-talked about video clips of 2017.

The former Big Brother star sat down with the superstars about their film Blade Runner 2049, only for the duo to end up in hysterics, quaffing whiskey in her company.

Seriously, it’s worth a YouTube.

Animal mayhem

Introducing animals into the This Morning studio never bodes well . . .

Take a segment on Britain’s first guide ponies, when one decided to, erm, make his mark by going to the toilet live on air.

Then there was the time actress Brenda Blethyn was a guest, and her dog became rather over friendly!

Yep, as the Vera star was mounted by her pooch Jack, viewers tweeted about being left in hysterics.

The animal misbehaved again as Brenda walked off set, and she was heard saying: “Was that on television?” Oh, the joys of filming live.

It’s fair to say Ruth and Eammon couldn’t stop laughing either.

Cooking up a storm

Everyone loves watching the celebrity chefs show us new recipes to follow.

And all sorts of guests have had a go at helping them prepare a dish, including Prince Charles and Camilla (they made mutton hot-pot with chef Phil Vickery earlier this year).

The most memorable cooking segment though has to be one back in 2011, when Gino D’Acampo vowed to cook naked if the ITV show won a National TV Award.

They did indeed bag an award, and Gino rustled up bistecca di pancetta in front of a very animated studio, wearing just an apron. Hygienic, maybe not – but great entertainment value.

TV firsts

What’s brilliant about This Morning is how easily it can take on a more serious tone, and one topic they cover a lot is health.

People often go on the show to talk about their own shocking personal stories, while Dr Chris is on hand to give tips and discuss the latest health news.

In 2014, he conducted the first ever live testicle examination, giving potentially life-saving advice as he demonstrated on a model how to self-check.

And that’s just one example of how This Morning never shies away from stories that are important to talk about. Just a few months ago, the show supported an initiative to raise awareness about male suicide, with a group of mysterious statues of men with their faces covered appearing on top of the ITV studios.

Awkward moments

We know all too well you can’t expect live shows to consistently go to plan.

Throw an unpredictable guest into the mix, and it’s a recipe for some much-talked-about telly.

For example, Phil and Holly have had many chats with the outspoken Katie Hopkins, which often end in clashes over her controversial opinions.

Once, the former Apprentice candidate questioned mothers giving their children geographical names such as ‘Brooklyn’, before Phil pointed out that her daughter’s name is India. Sassy comeback indeed.

Unexpected laughs

An episode of This Morning that has gone down in history? Phil and Holly presenting the day after the show won big at the National Television Awards in 2016 – still wearing last night’s gladrags.

After a (much deserved) night out celebrating, the duo started the show lying down on the sofa. We can only imagine how their heads felt.

It was quite a sight, and the reaction from fans was priceless.

Bring on the next 30 years . . .