Sunday Brunch'sTim Lovejoy has revealed how Channel 4 staff were worried when they found out he would be presenting the show solo.

Tim, 57 and a seasoned co-host with Simon Rimmer on the popular programme, occasionally finds himself without his partner due to scheduling conflicts or illness.

Speaking to Steven Sulley's podcast, Sunday Brunch star Tim recounted the unease surrounding his first solo stint: "The first time I just was. Most of the time Simon's been ill it's been...it hasn't really happened much in the years we've been working together.

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"But when it happened before it would generally be a couple of days before... so they would then go 'Let's get in somebody else' so I'd have a new co-presenter for the day and that happened a lot."

In reflection, he discussed the rarity of handling the show alone and the initial concerns from others: "I think I've done it only three or four times on my own completely and the first time it was just people going, I remember them panicking: 'Can he do it on his own?'

"The idea that someone would do a whole three-hour entertainment show on their own, and then now they just go: 'He's ill, you're doing it'.

"Now I just love it. I love the fact they can trust me to do it. I just love live TV. I'm more comfortable on TV than I am in real life."

Discussing his affinity for live TV and the sense of comfort and catharsis it brings, Tim shared his personal insight into why he finds it so appealing, reports Birmingham Live.

He explained: "For some reason I just find it really comfortable. If you do any kind of zen practice, mindfulness, stoicism...it's always about living in the present, don't live in the past.

"When you're doing a three-hour live TV show you're living in the present, we're enjoying it because we're living in the present....We're living it and it's so rare that you get to live in the present."

Tim's reflections from a podcast two months ago have taken on new significance following his recent decision to take a hiatus from a show he has been part of since 2012.

Stepping into Tim's shoes is the 37-year-old TV host Vicky Pattison, who expressed her excitement on Instagram about her new role.

She announced: "I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS! ! ! !

"As a long time friend of @sundaybrunchc4 it is an absolute HONOUR to be wearing a slightly different hat this week! I will be joining my good pal @rimmersimon as his co-host while the lovely @timlovejoy_official has a very well deserved break! ! !

"I am buzzing like an old fridge to chat to all of our gorgeous guests, eat some delicious food and hopefully give anyone watching and nursing a hangover a bit of light comedy reprieve."

Tune into Sunday Brunchtoday (Sunday, June 29) from 10am on Channel 4, featuring guests such as comedians Aisling Bea and Jim Moir.