Sarah Ferguson described herself as the "fluff” as she joined This Morning presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary as co-host today - leaving many viewers baffled by her appearance.

As we reported at the weekend, Fergie has stepped in as the show continues to look for a permanent replacement for Holly Willoughby - but for one day only.

The 64-year-old also guest edited the ITV1 show and in the opening moments the programme’s chef Marcus Bean appeared to catch her eye.

As he previewed a pasta dish he was due to cook, Sarah told him “you’re very good looking”, then added “I meant the carbonara”.

Before the programme’s opening credits were broadcast, Sarah appeared behind the scenes and said: “I’m joining the family as co-host – fluff – alongside Alison and Dermot.

“And as guest editor for the day I’ve been working with the brilliant team behind the scenes to bring you some of the topics I’m most passionate about.”

Her first task was to go through stories in the newspapers with her co-hosts and guest Gyles Brandreth, and the discussion turned to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

The duchess was quizzed about whether she had been approached to appear in the programme, and replied “every single year”.

Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

But when asked by O’Leary what Christmas dinners were like when the Queen hosted her family at Sandringham, she replied: “Beans on toast, Gyles over to you.”

Fans seemed mixed in their reviews of the former royal's new role, with many recommending she doesn't give up the day job too soon, and most expressing disbelief she was there.

TommyTucker91 said: "Still can’t work out why Sarah Ferguson is there. She produced the show today as well. Does someone high up in @ITV owe her a favour or something? They couldn’t say no? Just feels very unusual, like having to look after the boss’ daughter for the day at work. #ThisMorning." Rhyswills26 added: "Sarah Ferguson is awful at presenting This Morning."

Geordiegalg said: "This whole Sarah Ferguson thing is so random and actually quite awkward to watch." Katrina15 added: "I've no issue with Sarah Ferguson at all, but I don't get why she's being invited on shows as a guest presenter? She's so wooden.... #thismorning."

Fans seemed mixed in their reviews of Fergie's new day job so far.

Speaking ahead of her appearance, Sarah said: “I have appeared on This Morning before, but this time I am coming back in a very different role. I love live TV and am an enormous fan of the show, and the whole team is always lovely to deal with. I’m looking forward to being there for the whole morning, and thrilled to be guest editing the show, which will mean getting to explore some topics that I’m passionate about.”

Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.