Holly Willoughby and Phil Schofield
Their relationship is strained after he comes under fire from co-stars
They’re hailed as the king and queen of daytime TV, but co-hosts and BFFS Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are facing their biggest hurdle yet. We can exclusively reveal their friendship has been put to the test following a string of accusations against Phillip.
Last week it was reported several presenters are unhappy with Phil’s attitude behind the scenes on This Morning, with Ruth Langsford even making an official complaint against him.
But while it’s Phil, 57, who’s been in the firing line, a show insider has told
new it’s also had an impact on Holly, 38, and their friendship is now strained.
“Everyone’s been on edge at the studio,” our insider revealed. “Holly has been quieter than usual and, despite them ignoring the elephant in the room, it’s clear she and Phil are tense when the cameras stop rolling.
“It seems they’re still trying to put on a show for the staff – they want to give the appearance of a united front – but Holly occasionally slips and she just looks really unhappy and fed up.”
Our source adds that while Holly has tried to remain professional, she’s been left feeling uneasy over the situation and the pair appear to be spending increasing amounts of time apart.
“She seems embarrassed by what’s happened and what’s been said, but she has some degree of loyalty to Phil that means she’ll keep it professional at all times,” our insider said. “But they’ve stopped laughing together on set and they go straight back to their own dressing rooms once they’re done, rather than hang out.
“A lot of the staff on the show feel nervous and are trying to keep everyone happy, but when Phil and Holly’s backs are turned it’s all anyone’s talking about. Phil isn’t popular with some of the staff at the show. “Holly’s always been gracious and sweet – but even she is concerned about their growing rift.” Shock reports also claim the pair had a fall-out in May because Phil became “jealous” of Holly after she won a BAFTA for co-hosting I’m A Celebrity with Declan Donnelly, filling in for Ant Mcpartlin.
It’s also been reported Holly wanted Phil to stop posting videos of her drinking alcohol on social media – but asked their shared management team to pass on the message as she felt “too nervous to speak to him directly about it”.
This comes just six months after it was reported Phil was furious about a Sunday Times Magazine cover in April that crowned his co-star Queen Holly and said she had eclipsed him to become “Britain’s hottest TV star”.
A second source told new tensions have been running high between the duo for a long time.
“The atmosphere between the pair is very professional when the cameras are rolling, but it’s a different matter when they’re not live,” our insider explained.
“There’s little interaction between them. When they’re on set it’s as if they’re both in their own worlds. It’s certainly not the ‘jolly Holly
‘THEY WANT TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF A UNITED FRONT’
and Phil’ double act we’ve come to know and love on screen.”
Phil has also been left annoyed after it was revealed presenter Ruth, 59, who hosts the show with husband Eamonn Holmes every Friday, made a formal complaint over his conduct in an incident in April, when he interrupted her while she was presenting a preview of Loose Women.
“Ruth is well liked among the staff at ITV,” our source said. “She treats everyone at the studio, from the runners to the directors, with equal kindness – so there were some big smiles of satisfaction when it was made public that she’d lodged her complaint. Phil is clearly fuming about it.”
Amanda Holden, who’s had a long-running feud with Phil, raised eyebrows when she waded in on the drama. Speaking on her Heart
Breakfast radio show, the 48-year-old said, “Listen, I’ve drawn a line under all those issues with Phillip.”
But implying that she’s backing Ruth, she added, “I’m just going to say I really admire anyone who sticks up for themselves because it is not an easy thing to do. 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.”
Amanda and Phil’s fall-out has been simmering since last year, when reports claimed she believed he had scuppered her chances of covering
Holly during her break from
This Morning.
Phil allegedly campaigned for Rochelle Humes to get the job, with a source saying she was “easier to manage on air”.
Earlier this year, the Britain’s Got Talent judge had a pop at him on air. When asked which three things she wouldn’t like to find in her home, she replied, “Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield.”
Phil hinted at his upset over the latest drama when he liked a fan’s tweet which read, “Rise above it and stay the fabulous you that we all, including your
This Morning fam, know and love! Big love.”
ITV released a statement saying, “It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.”