Lorraine Kelly breaks silence on Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby feud and future on This Morning after fallout
LORRAINE Kelly has broken her silence on Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s feud – saying she would be “sad” to see either of them leave This Morning.
TV presenter Lorraine, 63, praised her ITV co-stars for returning to work on Monday after rumours of a rift.
It comes after The Sun revealed that Phil confronted his co-host of 14 years in a tense phone call shortly after their fallout was made public.
Insiders said an emotional Phil picked up the phone to his TV partner after it was revealed their once close relationship was crumbling.
Holly had said she made it clear to ITV bosses that she would host This Morning without Phil if he left, insisting they were “separate entities”.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Lorraine opened up about her thoughts on the feud, saying: “Do you know what they were back today and it was business as usual and everyone is just getting on with it.”
Telly favourite Lorraine admitted that the presenting duo are “unlikely” to be replaced or given the boot.
When asked what she thinks the future holds for the hosts, she said: “I would be sad if they left the show but I don’t think that is ever likely to happen and I think they’re just getting on with it.”
Last week sources let on how tensions between Holly and Phil had become so palpable, it was apparent to staff on set that they were barely speaking when the cameras weren’t rolling.
They returned to their jobs yesterday determined to ensure that their problems did not affect their success on screen.
A source told The Sun: “Holly and Phil are professionals and they can turn it on like no one else.
“Although behind the scenes their relationship is nothing like it was, they are both dedicated to This Morning and keeping it together for viewers.”
It appears that their relationship has been strained for some time behind the scenes.
Their on-screen chemistry barely gave any indication that there were problems between the pair, although some eagle-eyed viewers claim to have spotted some tension.
Meanwhile 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.