Awkward moment This Morning’s Vanessa Feltz gives advice about ‘disowning friends’ as Holly Willoughby looks on
THIS Morning took an awkward turn when a caller asked Vanessa Feltz for advice about “disowning friends” as Holly Willoughby looked on.
Vanessa Feltz was on hand to give viewer Robert some help with his friendship dilemma.
The called explained: “I’ve been friends with a group of friends for quite a long time and I’ve actually said no for the first time to plans and now since then they’ve not spoken to me.
“They normally call and normally text but they’ve disowned me.”
Vanessa returned to the show to offer her expert opinion during her agony aunt segment.
Host Holly – who had a public falling out with ex pal and former co-star Phillip Schofield – told the caller to fight for his friendship.
Sounding concerned, she said: “Oh! That does sound really odd.”
Vanessa tried to make sense of it and said: “Maybe they felt rejected, you can never quite tell how someone will interpret something you do in a nice way with no ill will at all.
“They may take it as a knockback and a slap in the face.
“You’ve been friendly with them for ages, If I was you, I would give them a bell and say ‘I didn’t want to come that time but I certainly want to come next time’ and invite them round for an evening in the sunshine.
“But don’t allow this to fester and become a big thing.”
Holly piped up and said: “So keep it light.”
The called said he reached out but got nothing back.
Vanessa went onto say: “Friendships are so precious,” as Holly echoed: “Yeah.”
The TalkTV star continued: “When we lose friends throughout our life, sometimes we look back and wish we hadn’t. So don’t let that happen.”
Holly looked on and added: “Do you feel like you have it in you to reach out one more time?”
The called replied: “Only the once, I can’t do it anymore after this.”
It comes after Phillip, Holly’s former presenting partner of many years, left the show.
Phillip stepped down from ITV after confessing to an extra-marital affair with a much younger male runner on This Morning.
The 61-year-old revealed he was “utterly broken and ashamed” — but stressed he did not groom the younger man.
Earlier this month The Sun revealed that Holly still hasn’t had any contact with Phillip since he admitted his This Morning affair.
A source said the much-loved TV personality had not spoken to her former co-host, but that she was saddened that he had been struggling with his mental health.
It comes after Phillip said he texted Holly as the affair story broke, writing: “I know you can’t reply, you’re probably not allowed, but please know I’m desperately sorry.”
A source at the time told The Sun: “Holly hasn’t engaged with Phil, but is upset he has been feeling so low.”
Holly took to social media last month to reveal Phillip had lied to her about his affair.
She has not commented since.
Phillip told The Sun Holly did not know about his affair.
He said: “I’ve lost my best friend. Holly did not know. And she was one of the first texts that I sent to say ‘I am so, so sorry, that I lied to you.’”