...as ‘feuding’ This Morning hosts lose 170,000 viewers
TENS of thousands of This Morning viewers have switched off following the rumoured rift between Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.
Figures for Monday’s show – the first since allegations emerged of a fall-out between the pair – revealed that it had haemorrhaged nearly 170,000 viewers.
An average of 726,720 people tuned in compared to 894,000 on the same day last week. Viewing peaked at 914,000 compared to a shade over one million on May 8.
The alleged ongoing spat between the one-time golden hosts is now taking its toll on ITV which has stuck with the pair.
Holly and Phil pulled in 1.3 million viewers for last year’s Christmas show and an average of 1.4 million in the first four weeks of 2021.
But TV experts said the latest figures could force the broadcaster to act. One viewer admitted turning off because “I was fed up with seeing fake smiles”.
Sources claim bosses are making moves to replace Phil, 61, with Alison Hammond, 48, now favourite to sit alongside Holly, 42.
ITV did not comment, with Phil set to appear alongside his longtime screen partner as usual today.
Tensions
The pair are said to have grown apart for months as a series of highprofile scandals – including jumping the queue to see the Queen’s coffin – took their toll.
Until recently, Holly was said to be prepared to put differences aside, feeling loyalty for the man who helped to land her big break on This Morning in 2009. But friends claim she was surprised by last week’s statement from the former kids’ TV host, which exposed the fragile nature of their relationship and convinced her it was time to go solo.
They say the mum of three is also aware that her screen partner’s popularity is plummeting.
A source close to Holly said: “This has all been so heartbreaking for Holly, but she knows she has to stand on her own two feet and cut the strings.
“Nobody thought it would end like this. They were part of one another’s families and spent weekends socialising. She’s tried so hard.”
Alison remains favourite to fill Phil’s shoes. Other names in the frame include former X Factor host Dermot O’Leary, 49, and singer Olly Murs, 39. The chaos at This Morning comes as sources claim Phil has fallen from grace after years of behind-the-scenes tensions.