Inside Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s This Morning feud and how it first started three years ago
HOLLY Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will have one week to try to fix their on-screen partnership as they take a break from This Morning.
Insiders say the pair will come off air from May 29 to allow them breathing space.
News of their week off comes as we reveal that the rift between them began three years ago — when Holly went to war with her and Phil’s agents YMU Group.
She chose to leave YMU to start her own agency (Roxy Management) but ended up in a legal battle over their claim for 15 per cent of her future earnings.
Last year, Holly pocketed £1million in an out-of-court settlement with the agency — where Phil remains and is a shareholder.
Phil has previously been reported to earn £1million from YMU, with an insider saying: “Phil is very much a big player at YMU and is widely regarded there.”
The shake-up saw a power shift between the once unbreakable partnership, with Holly, 42, be- coming a bigger star than Phil, 61.
A source said: “Holly quietly started to distance herself from Phil back in 2020.
“She created her own female- led agency for a reason — and that was to champion women.
“The legal issues rumbled on for 18 months but Holly fought for what was right.
“Ultimately, Phil chose to stay and Holly chose to leave, it wasn’t easy at the time.”
Before her departure, Holly had hosted shows away from Phil, including Play to the Whistle and a reboot of Surprise Surprise.
However, a source revealed it was her job presenting I’m a Celebrity with Declan Donnelly when Ant McPartlin took a break in late 2018 that angered Phil.
They said: “It was widely known in the industry that Phil was annoyed Holly was offered the jungle.
“It was a massive break for her and she more than proved her mettle. Phil was naturally jealous it wasn’t him.”
The Sun revealed in 2019 Phil was infuriated when the Sunday Times Magazine did an interview with them both but photoshopped a crown on to Holly’s head on its cover.
Neither of the stars were aware until it went to print.
At the time, insiders said Phil was furious at what he believed was a slight against him.
In the same year, Holly’s popularity with the BBC increased.
She was chosen to present Take Off With Bradley & Holly on BBC1 until 2021, and last year she presented its primetime show Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof.
In November, Holly was even personally invited by the corporation’s content boss Charlotte Moore to be its VIP guest at a charity bash in London.
Her lifestyle brand Wylde Moon, launched in 2021, also flourished.
But Phil started to see his career stall.
His ITV shows The Cube and 5 Gold Rings have not returned after the pandemic.
While Holly signed seven-figure deals with Marks & Spencer and Dunelm, Phil was publicly dropped from his £1million contract with WeBuyAnyCar.
The source continued: “Holly’s star has started to shine brighter. She has become a TV personality people want to work with.
“The BBC have been pursuing her for a number of roles and she was down to the final two for their reboot of Survivor but was unable to make the dates work.
“Professionally, Holly is proving to be a huge success in her own right and it is clear to some Phil is being left behind.
“When they first started working together in 2009, Phil was the bigger star and he led the way.
“Now the tables have turned. Holly is the bigger star in the duo and that must be difficult for Phil to have to accept.”
The pair’s power struggle came to a head last year when they were vilified after being spotted skipping the queue to see the Queen lying in state.
Holly denied the incident on This Morning, insisting to viewers: “We would never jump the queue.”
Phil did not speak during the segment and later stoked the outrage by refusing to apologise.
Rising tensions were amplified earlier this year when Phil’s brother Tim was arrested and charged with child abuse.
The source said: “The court case has been difficult and while Phil has done nothing wrong, it has impacted both of them and been a real strain.
“Although their partnership had been weakening, this was a real catalyst for change.
“Holly has been advised to focus on her own career and keep moving forwards.
“Her husband Dan Baldwin is a TV executive and he is incredibly supportive of her solo moves.”
Holly and Phil have both said they want to remain on ITV’s This Morning.
The insider said: “As a show, they cannot continue for long without a resolution.
“Many believe it is time for Phil to step back and allow Holly to take the reins but he won’t go without a fight.
“If a week apart can help heal the rift, then great. But ultimately, a sticking plaster won’t fix this.”
