This Morning fans all say the same thing as Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield return to TV
THIS Morning fans all had the same thing to say ahead of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s return to our screens.
The pair are alleged to be locked in a bitter row after Holly said she was prepared to work alone on the ITV show after their friendship turned sour.
It has been said that things started to fall apart for the two of them after Phil failed to tell Holly about his brother’s child sex offences.
It is also reported that Holly had no idea until Philip took time off to attend court proceedings.
Phil has now hired a lawyer after being “blindsided” by how public their growing rift has become.
He also released an emotional statement in a last-ditch attempt to save his This Morning partnership with Holly – saying that it “hadn’t been easy for either of us”.
Holly was said to have also been “blindsided” by this message, which sources say she knew nothing about.
Fans turned on in their droves this morning to see if the pair could keep it together for the sake of the show.
This Morning hashtag has been trending with many admitting that they didn’t care about the show’s content – only the “awkwardness” between Holly and Phil.
“I never watch This Morning, but I may tune in today to watch the body language between Holly and Phil,” one wrote on Twitter.
“Holly and Phil I never watch #thismorning but I’ll be tuning in today! viewing figures will go thru the roof!” another added.
“Looking forward to watching Holly and Phil on #ThisMorning today!” another wrote, with a gif of a woman slapping a man across the face.
“I’m more interested in the simmering tension between Holly and Phil Can’t wait to see if they make a speech at the start of tomorrow’s show,” a third chimed.
“Happy awkward, full of tension, Holly and Phil day to those who celebrate,” another quipped.
Despite the growing drama and huge question marks over their 14-year friendship, the pair held it together as they presented the show this morning.
But some eagle-eyed viewers appeared to spot the bubbling tension between them.
“Phillip Schofield thinks he can fool us with this fake nice “everything is fine act” when Holly looks visibly uncomfortable being there,” one wrote.
It comes as an insider told The Sun: “Phil has instructed a lawyer to help keep his reputation intact.
“They are overseeing stories relating to ITV and his role on This Morning and are ensuring Phil is protected.
“Phil has done absolutely nothing wrong and doesn’t have a PR team guiding him.
“He and ITV felt he needed someone, officially, in his corner to ward off stuff that isn’t true.”
“Phil doesn’t want this to get beyond his control.”
In Phil’s statement about their relationship, the 61-year-old wrote: “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.
“Whatever happens, we still have each other to count on.”
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.