Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's rumoured feud - what happened between This Morning presenters as friendship breakdown reported
21.05.2023 - 18:37
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Phillip Schofield announced he is stepping down from hosting ITV's This Morning this weekend. It comes after recent reports that a rift has formed between him and his long-time co-host Holly Willoughby.
The TV duo had presented the show together since 2009 and also co-host ITV’s Dancing On Ice. Following Schofield’s departure, ITV has said Willoughby will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”.
The pair have been open about their close friendship over the years, which has included sharing pictures on social media of them while on joint holidays with their families. But recently, the pair have seemingly drifted apart.
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Phil's statement on his decision to leave the show made no mention of his co-host, while Holly posted a brief statement on social media telling her followers that "the sofa won’t feel the same" without Phil and thanking him for his "knowledge, experience and humour".
In recent months, Phil has been at the centre of numerous headlines - including over his brother’s sex abuse trial and furore over Holly's and his visit to the late Queen’s lying in state, at which they were accused of jumping the queue.
Reports began last week that the pair were barely speaking off-camera. Following press coverage that their relationship had come under strain, Phil hailed Holly as his “rock” in a statement to The Sun.
He said: “As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for