THE View fans were thrilled today when Joy Behar finally returned to the daytime show after “going missing” from the series.

The popular host, 82, joined her fellow panellists to explain the real reason for her week-long absence from talk show.Joy Behar speaking on The View.

Fans have been left wondering why Joy Behar has been absent from The View for the past week, with some concerned she might be leaving the show.

Last Thursday, host Whoopi Goldberg, 69, addressed her absence, and told viewers: “Joy is not here. We wish her a happy opening night. It’s tonight.”

Whoopi was referring to Joy’s off-Broadway play, My First Ex-Husband, which premiered last week at New York’s Mac-Haydn Theater.

She wrote the production and also performs in it, alongside Tovah Feldshuh, Susie Essman, and Adrienne C. Moore.

Joy hasn’t been on The View since last Monday (February 3), with former co-host Star Jones filling in for her.

But now she has returned to her place on the panel, much to the delight of fans.

However, it’s now been revealed there is more to her absence than just her off-Broadway show.

Speaking about why she has been away from The View, Joy said: “I was sick!”

Although she didn’t disclose what illness she’d had, she hinted she had been unwell all week – and just as her off-Broadway show was kicking off.

Asked how Mr First Ex-Husband was going, she replied: “It’s going really well, people seem to like it!.

“It’s been a fun ride.”

Joy then revealed she would be doing the play until February 23, before another actress takes over the role.

The popular host has been a staple of The View since she the show started in 1997.

She took a break in 2013, before returning in 2015.

Joy Behar speaking on The View.

WEEKENDS WITH THE VIEW

Meanwhile, The View is going from strength-to-strength and has even introduced a new weekend show.

Due to its popularity, the show – which first premiered in 1997 – has been given an extra slot on a Saturday.

The popular American talk show was created by broadcast journalist Barbara Walters.

It is currently in its 28th season, and after its recent boost in ratings, it was given an extra show each week.

Since last month The Weekend View now airs on ABC News Live, which is the streaming platform website.

The show is half an hour long and features the show’s Friday panel.

However, Whoopi wont be on the show because she doesn’t work on Fridays.The Hollywood star only appears on The View each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Lala Kent and the hosts of "The View" at the show's table.