Phillip Schofield has broken his silence on claims of a massive behind-the-scenes conflict with Holly Willoughby.
ITV is said to be in the midst of a major crisis as 41-year-old Holly looks to end her ITV partnership.
The duo became “good friends” after first meeting on Dancing on Ice, and have presented “This Morning” together since 2009.
She was also described as his “rock” when he came out as gay live on This Morning in 2020.
But their relationship is said to have been strained in recent months after a series of controversies.
Phillip, 62, has now issued a statement after a “rough” few weeks during which he took three weeks’ leave in March because his brother was convicted of child molestation.
Phillip Schofield has broken his silence on claims of a backstage conflict with Holly Willoughby
Phil said the past few weeks have been incredibly tough
“The last few weeks have not been easy for any of us.” “Like I said, Holly is my rock,” Phil told The Sun.
“We’re best friends – as always, she’s been an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.”
“Holly has always been there for me through thick and thin. And I was there for her.’
In Phil’s absence, Holly was paired with Alison Hammond and ITV bosses were reportedly overjoyed at the chemistry between them and were now exploring further ways to bring them together.
Holly has reportedly made it clear she would like to continue hosting the ITV daytime show if Phil ever expresses interest in leaving.
A source told The Sun: “Holly loves This Morning and for the first time in 14 years she has made it clear that if Phil ever leaves, she wants to stay. They are separate entities. It’s become an open secret that things aren’t as rosy as they used to be.
“It’s become clear to people around them on set lately that Holly and Phil aren’t as close as they used to be.” Professionally, you would have no idea anything was going on because they’re reserved on camera feel the same way, but behind the scenes their relationship has cooled.”
The same sources said that Holly and Phil’s off-camera banter and “camaraderie” were never the same and had “vanished.”
A source also claimed that the two don’t often speak to each other, except on camera while they’re hosting This Morning.
Another insider added: “It’s become an open secret that things aren’t as rosy as they used to be, however Holly has made her position clear and it means she wants to remain the focus of This Morning. “
Having had a turbulent few months, Phil took a break from work when his brother was convicted of child molestation.
Holly and Phil have faced backlash for claiming they bypassed the queue at Westminster Hall to see the Queen in state
Phillip, 62, has now issued a statement after a “rough” few weeks which saw him take three weeks off in March as his brother (pictured) was convicted of child molestation
‘Not So Close’: The duo have performed ‘This Morning’ together for 14 years, but their relationship has reportedly taken a hit in recent months
There have been arguments behind the scenes on the series for some time, and the pair are reportedly more distant than ever.
Web has reached out to Holly and Phil’s reps for comment. ITV declined to comment.
In a comment on today’s show, Twitter users wrote: “Phil tried twice to put Holly in her giggle mode but she ignored him.” First he laughed at a story about farts, then he mentioned the light from the fireflies emanating from her asses came…
“No response from Holly… I hope Phil and Holly make up… Holly needs to pretend everything is fine with her boyfriend #this morning…
“No matter how hard they try to cover up the cooling off in their friendship, it’s obvious on the sofa.” “Holly’s body language says it all, the way she sits slightly averted from Phil.”
One fan shared a GIF of Ted Danson flinching with the tagline, “There’s a lot of tension in the air right now,” and wrote next to it, “The only reason I’m watching This Morning Holly and Phil,” with a smiling emoji.
Other fans noted that Holly had previously tagged Phillips’ name in her Twitter bio and the name has now been removed in favor of a career highlights list. Despite the speculation, it’s not clear when the change was made.
Twitter users wrote: “Didn’t Holly’s Twitter bio say something about being introduced to Twitter by ‘a legend’ (e.g. Phil)? Now it’s gone…
“Countless newspaper reports overnight that they’ve both fallen out and aren’t talking anymore.” Holly’s also removed mention of Phil from her Twitter bio.
The presenter duo have worked together for more than a decade after Holly replaced Fern Britton as Phil’s co-host in 2009.
Holly joined the This Morning team three years after she began hosting Dancing On Ice in 2006, while Phil made her first appearance on the talk show four years earlier in 2002.
Since then, Holly and Phil have kept viewers in hysterics with their antics on and off screen.
The presenter duo (pictured in November 2009) have worked together for more than a decade after Holly replaced Fern Britton as Phillip’s co-host in 2009
They have previously spoken about their close bond and gushed that This Morning is “family” for them and not just a job.
After Phil returned to the show after his annual summer vacation last August, he described the show as a “support group” for him.
“It’s like, ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!'” “Everyone knows everything about everyone, and that’s nice…that’s why I always miss that friendship group,” he explained.
“This Morning is more than just a show, it’s such a nice group of people to come to work with and you miss that – it’s not really a job.”
Noted: While the episode aired, fans of the couple flooded Twitter, pointing out that while Phillip tried to get in touch with Holly, he ignored him, while others insisted that she “acted like everything was in.” Order”.
“It’s more than a job, it’s much, much more than that … and I’m not going to lie, This Morning is one of my support groups and that’s a beautiful thing.”
Holly echoed Phil’s sentiments as she described the show as “one big family.”
Phil has gushed about their friendship, previously describing his co-host as “sensitive, kind, intuitive, spiritual and a friend,” while Holly called him “playful, very loyal, kind, very funny and a friend.”
They’re notorious for their hilarious antics on the breakfast show, which caused fans to laugh when they arrived at the show in last night’s clothes after a hilarious night at the National Television Awards in 2016.
Holly and Phillip (pictured in 2012) have previously spoken about their close bond and gushed that This Morning is “family” for them and not just a job
The couple (pictured in 2012) have left viewers in hysterics with their antics on and off screen
And the couple reflected on their wild antics in 2019 as they nostalgically celebrated their 10-year anniversary together on “This Morning.”
Speaking of the milestone, Phil said at the time, “You always say, ‘Time flies when you’re having fun,’ and we’re having so much fun, so much fun together, and that’s just how time flies.”
While Holly added, “It doesn’t feel like 10 years.” It’s been super fast, but it’s been so amazing. The best grade I have from that time is that it’s the same age as [my son] Harry.
“As I’ve watched him grow, I know how long I’ve been with This Morning. So that’s always a visual reminder of how long I’ve been at it.”