Is Holly Willoughby about to ditch scandal-hit Phillip Schofield?
The presenter wants to leave her “toxic” workplace
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are undoubtedly the king and queen of morning TV, but it seems there could be trouble at the palace. Raging rumours about tensions between the pair hotted up last week, and reports of Phil creating a “toxic” work environment for his other (current and former) co-hosts has apparently led Holly to start considering her options.
“Holly’s had enough of being in the middle of it all, and may decide to quit This Morning in 2020 because she’s tired of all the stories, even though Phil remains one of her best friends,” an insider close to the presenter tells heat. “She has worked incredibly hard building up her image and brand as a family- friendly favourite, but now that things are getting ugly in her workplace environment, it has caused Holly to worry.”
Previous co-stars of Phil, 57, have also made their feelings clear. Last year, he engaged in a petty spat with his former co-worker Fern Britton; Ruth Langsford is reported to have made an official complaint about Phil to ITV bosses, and just last week, when Amanda Holden – who has spoken publicly about her feud with Phil – was asked to comment on the rumours that eight different colleagues had spoken out about his behaviour, she admitted, “There is a tin opener and there’s a can somewhere, and other people have found the tin opener. That’s all I’m saying.” Reports even emerged that some of the tensions have arisen thanks to Phil’s jealousy of
fellow presenter Eamonn Holmes’ OBE, with sources saying he is “desperate for a knighthood”.
Our insider tells us that Holly, 38, is contemplating moving on before the whole situation impacts her career, saying, “Holly can get on with anyone, but it seems Phil keeps making new enemies and she just wants to feel relaxed when she goes to work.” Some insiders claim the problem is Phil’s ego, as it seems everyone is trying to keep the TV stalwart happy. ITV even deemed it worthy to come out in support of their presenter and address the rumours, saying, “It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip. Phillip is a much-respected broadcaster and colleague. Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen, and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.” Just days after the initial story broke, Holly and Phil were together to film the launch and Christmas special of Dancing On Ice, and they put on a show of unity. Holly later posted a behindthe-scenes clip of the filming, which showed her and Phil happily singing to each other and hugging. Phil later commented on the video with a heart emoji.
That being said, it now seems to be a case of when, not if, for Holly, as we’re told she’s already got an exit plan in place. “For her, it’s all about not burning any bridges or making it look like she feels she’s too good for daytime. But at the same time, she doesn’t want to get dragged into all the controversy. And with all the toxicity surrounding This Morning right now, it feels like it could be the right time to move on, but she’d never leave Phil in the lurch.” n