This Morning’s Holly Willoughby ‘blindslided and deeply upset’ as Phillip Schofield releases statement about them
HOLLY Willoughby is said to have been left ‘blindsided’ after co-host Phillip Schofield released a statement about their friendship.
Phillip, 61, broke his silence last night in an extraordinary move, telling The Sun: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”
According to reports in the MailOnline, Holly, 42, had no idea that Phil was planning to talk and she was first made aware of it when the article was published.
Phil has said this is “categorically untrue”.
The paper reports that their 14 year friendship is in tatters after he failed to tell her that his brother, Timothy, faced charges of child sex offences.
They claim Holly only found out when he took a week off during the court case, which Phil has denied.
A source said: “Holly had to find out from someone else which must have been awful for her. She has been so loyal to him.
“It has been upsetting for her, they have been pretty inseparable for 14 years. They have been through so much together, some happy and some really tough. But now their once super close friendship is no longer.”
Phillip’s version of events is different and he has praised Holly for “being his rock”, after we revealed the TV hosts barely speak off camera.
Pouring out his heart, Phil 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 either of us.”
Phil took three weeks off the show in March as his brother Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of child sex offences.
He is due to be sentenced next week. Phil’s statement added: “My family went through a real ordeal.
“And Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.
“And of course Holly has herself been ill with shingles.”
Holly has not spoken publicly about Phil since we revealed she wanted to keep hosting even if he left.
Yesterday they began the show with a dance — Holly swinging her arms and Phil planting his hands in his pocket as he swayed from side to side.
Both flashed their trademark smiles but viewers were convinced they spotted tension.
Body language expert Judi James said Holly looked “painfully uncomfortable” while Phil appeared “childishly sarcastic”.
Fans also remarked how Holly has removed a compliment about Phil from her Twitter bio.
SCHOFIELD’S STATEMENT
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 either of us.
My family went through a real ordeal, and Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me – as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.
And of course Holly has herself been ill with shingles.
Whatever happens, we still have each other to count on.