This Morning fans demand Phillip Schofield QUITS after Holly Willoughby fallout and ‘blindsiding’ her with statement
THIS Morning fans have demanded that Phillip Schofield QUITS the show after a fallout with Holly Willoughby.
Viewers of the popular daytime show have hit out after Holly, 42, was “blindsided” by a statement over their rumoured feud.
Yesterday, Phillip, 61, made an extraordinary last-ditch attempt to save his This Morning partnership with Holly.
In an emotional statement he told The Sun: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”
He issued it after we revealed the TV hosts barely speak off camera and their TV relationship was in peril behind-the-scenes.
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. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”
Now, reacting to the news – fans of the show had called for Phillip to QUIT the programme – or be “sacked” by bosses in a series of tweets.
One viewer wrote: “Holly should do the show alone, he needs sacking,” as another said: “Best if we never saw him on TV again.”
A third added: “Get rid of him, he should have been gone years ago,” to which a fourth said: “It’s time to get rid of Phillip.”
While a fifth fan suggested instead: “It would be nice if ITV would replace all the presenters and look for some new talent.”
Phil took three weeks off the show in March as his brother Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of child sex offences.
Phil’s statement yesterday addressed the sentencing next week, and added: “My family went through a real ordeal.
“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.”
Following the statement, a show source said: “This is desperate stuff from Phil. He knows the relationship has been strained.”
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.
As producers cut to another segment, a fan tweeted: “Wonder what Phil and Holly are doing during this VT…”
Body language expert Judi James said Holly looked “painfully uncomfortable” while Phil appeared “childishly sarcastic”.