Holly and33 Phil:We’re on brink of tears all the time
This Morning presenters reveal Covid rollercoaster
PHILLIP Schofield and Holly Willoughby say that dealing with Covid has left them so on edge, even giving cash to viewers leaves them fighting back tears.
The This Morning hosts told how the past year has tested them to their limits, with just the daily Spin to Win competition making them emotional.
But in an exclusive chat with the Sunday Mirror, the best pals said the crisis had made their friendship even stronger than ever.
Phillip, 59, confessed he could cry “at the drop of a hat” when euphoric callers pocket the bigmoney jackpots on the ITV mid-morning show.
He said: “When a Spin to Win winner says, ‘Oh my God, you’ve been amazing, I’ve entered since the start’, that kind of thing… you’ve got to be quite careful because I think we’re all on the edge, you could cry at the drop of a hat.
“It’s so hard sometimes, you think, ‘You have to centre yourself ’. We are all on the brink of tears all the time, so it doesn’t take much to push.”
As they reflected on lockdown, the stars told how grateful they were for all the little things in life.
Phillip said: “It’s made me appreciate work and friendship.
“It’s also made me appreciate the small things in life that when we can get them all back, I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted again. I’m not even fussed about international holidays and things like that – I just want to sit in my garden with some mates.”
Holly, 40, added: “I think it’s those small things, those small liberties that you take for granted that you never thought that anybody would take away from you, ever.
“I’ve learned so much and I hope a lot of the things that I’ve learned will stay with me. It’s funny, because I can see it with the kids as well. I think all generations are going through it.”
This Morning has recently scored its highest ratings in 19 years with figures shooting up by almost 50% year-on-year.
More than 10 million tuned in during the first week of lockdown in 2020 as we faced up to the reality of the pandemic.
And Holly and Phil said viewers’ reactions to the show had been a source of strength to them both.
“I think knowing what you were doing was being well received made all the difference,” Holly said.
“We’ve been told by viewers we were like the nation’s comfort blanket, which is just amazing.”
Phillip added: “The viewers were our comfort blanket too. I mean, we’re lucky because of the job that we do with that extended family, so you have support from viewers.”
Best friends Phillip and Holly have been regulars on This Morning for 14 years. When Phillip revealed he was gay – after 27 years of marriage – he said Holly was “like therapy”.
Both dismissed recent rumours of a rift between them as “nonsense”.
Viewers say we have been like a comfort blanket for the nation HOLLY ON THE SHOW’S PANDEMIC POPULARITY