Phillip Schofield deserted by fans while Holly Willoughby’s popularity soars amid queue-gate

PHILLIP Schofield has seen fans desert him on social media amid ‘queue-gate’, but Holly Willoughby’s popularity has soared.

The beleaguered This Morning duo have been the subject of an intense backlash over the last week, following accusations they jumped the queue to see the Queen lying in state.

Holly, 41, and Phillip, 60, have vehemently denied any wrongdoing and have received the full backing of ITV, but the pair have still had to deal the stress of a petition to get them sacked.

But while concerned fans of the pair have pointed out how they have seemed “subdued’ and ‘tearful” on the popular daytime show this week, it appears Phil may be more out of favour with the public than his co-host – at least if the fickle nature of social media is anything to go by.

Statistics collected by social media analytics website Social Blade reveal Phil has been gradually losing fans for over a year now, but experienced his biggest drop this week.

In the last 12 months, Phil has lost 117,769 fans across Twitter and Instagram, whereas Holly- who recently got the support of her high street partner Marks & Spencer – has gained a staggering 787,783.

Since September 2021, the silver-haired star has lost 89,260 Instagram followers, with 10,170 of these fans unfollowing him in the last 30 days alone, and 2,941 in the last week.

In contrast, Holly has gained a total of 729,202 new Instagram followers in the last 12 months, and attracted 35,790 new fans on the platform in the last 30 days.

On Twitter, meanwhile, Phil has lost 28,508 followers in the last 12 months, with 5,655 of these fans unfollowing him in the last 30 days.

In the same period, Holly has gained 58,581 new followers on the platform.

Of course Phil’s sizeable following is still nothing to be sniffed at, with a current total of 3,032,459 followers on Instagram and 4,482,362 on Twitter.

But thanks to her fashion deal with M&S and popular wellness brand Wylde Moon, Holly’s appeal continues to expand and her 8,068,141 Instagram followers and 7,299,641 on Twitter takes some beating.

When the anger started to brew towards Holly and Phil following their visit to Westminster Hall last Friday, ITV were quick to put out a statement to back the pair.

“Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something,” it began. “We asked Phillip and Holly to be a part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme. They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event.”

On Tuesday’s show, Holly addressed the incident in a VT.

Holly told viewers as the footage aired: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall.

“It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.

“The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.

“None of the broadcasters and journalists took anyone’s places in the queue and no one filed past the Queen. 

“We of course respected those rules however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore we totally understand the reaction.

“Please know that we would never jump a queue.”

A clip followed from outside Westminster Hall as Phil reflected on his visit and said: “That’s got to be one of the most profound moments of my life.”

Rex