K.J. Yossman ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall defended the network’s morning show anchors Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby over allegations that they skipped a five-mile long queue to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state two weeks ago. Ever since Schofield and Willoughby, who host “This Morning” were seen on the live-feed of the lying-in-state, walking through Westminster Hall via the VIP line, the duo have been the subject of much criticism, particularly on social media. A petition titled ‘Axe Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from TV’ has amassed over 75,000 signatures. Speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) annual convention in London on Tuesday afternoon, McCall defended Schofield and Willoughby and said that ITV had even contacted Domino’s Pizza U.K. to complain about a light-hearted tweet the pizza company had posted poking fun at the controversy.
Holly and Phil's week from hell after Queen queue outrage - tears, crisis talks and SOS call
23.09.2022 - 22:01 / dailyrecord.co.uk
It's been a remarkable week for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, to say the least. The duo faced massive backlash after being accused of jumping the queue to see the Queen lying-in-state.
The outrage hasn't relented although the presenters of This Morning have denied the accusations. ITV has even clarified they were at Westminster Hall in a professional capacity - and didn't skip the queue.
Even so, a petition calling for Holly and Phil to be sacked has garnered more than 67,000 signatures. The drama began when a picture emerged last week that showed the pair waiting to film a segment for their daytime show.
The picture caused fury after it was compared to celebrities such as David Beckham, Susanna Reid and Tilda Swinton who had queued with the public to pay their respects to the monarch. However, unlike Holly and Phillip who were at Westminster Hall for work, other stars visited the Queen's coffin. in their free time.
The close friends shared an hour-long "emotional SOS phone call" after becoming "really worried" by the backlash they faced, as they spoke about how to handle the situation.
"Phil and Holly started to become really worried about the situation on Friday night. They spoke at length and decided they had to do something to protect themselves and the reputation of the show," a source told MailOnline.
As public outrage continued to grow, This Morning were forced to issue a strongly worded statement two days after the picture started circulating.
In an Instagram statement, the popular TV show wrote: "Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something. We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.
"They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying
Eamonn Holmes’ feud with Holly and Phil as he takes digs over ‘queue jumping’
Eamonn Holmes has taken multiple swipes at Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield over recent weeks, after they were criticised for allegedly 'skipping' the queue at the Queen's lying-in-state. GB News star Eamonn, 62, has made his opinion on the matter known and has branded the This Morning presenters "liars" and "arrogant". As he presented GB News alongside his co-anchor Isobel Webster recently, Eamonn weighed in on the queueing scandal, saying: “I’ll tell you what’s strategic.
Holly Willoughby breaks her silence on social media after Queen 'queue-jumping' drama
Holly Willoughby has broken her social media silence following the backlash she faced after being falsely accused of skipping the queue to see the Queen lying in state.
Holly and Phil’s ‘tense’ This Morning crisis explained amid fears for presenters after queue jumping row
Things between This Morning and Holly Willoughby are said to be “tense” as she continues to find herself at the centre of a “queue jumping” row alongside fellow presenter Philip Schofield. While the pair, who have presented the popular daytime show together since 2009, are known for their bubbly personalities and infectious laughs, fans have claimed that the show has been a lot more subdued following accusations of queue-jumping at the late Queen’s lying-in-state As a result of the accusations, 41 year old Holly is said to have been left “angry” by the situation. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “She feels like she has been left out to dry by ITV in some aspects and is understandably very angry.
Devastated Holly Willoughby in 'crisis talks' with ITV bosses after queue backlash
Holly Willoughby is said to be having crisis talks with This Morning bosses after being devastated by the backlash her alleged "queue jumping" has had on viewers. The ITV presenter and her co-host Phillip Schofield were accused of getting "VIP treatment" to see Queen Elizabeth II lying-in-state at Westminster Hall last week, writes The Mirror.
Holly Willoughby in crisis talks over fears she'll quit This Morning over 'queue jumping' row
ITV This Morning’s Holly Willoughby is said to be in “crisis talks” with the broadcaster after the recent backlash over claims she “queue jumped” to see the Queen Lying-in-State with co-host Phillip Schofield. The TV presenters have strenuously denied claims that they skipped the queue at Westminster Hall and that they were instead in the “press queue” with accreditation which is given to journalists and broadcasters. After addressing the backlash on Tuesday’s This Morning, Holly, 41, is said to have ITV fearful she will leave the show after she was left in “floods of tears” over the recent drama.