Exact date Holly Willoughby will return to This Morning revealed as she definitely vows she won’t quit the show
HOLLY Willoughby will return to This Morning on Monday despite pressure to step down.
Insiders said Holly, 42, had no intention of quitting after Phillip Schofield, 61, lied over his affair with a younger man.
Holly Willoughby insists she has nothing to hide as she plans to return to This Morning next week.
Last night there were claims ITV paid off the worker who had an affair with Schofield.
A source said of Holly: “She has made it clear she was one of the people Phil lied to and she has nothing to hide.
“She will return to This Morning as planned on Monday and carry on like the professional she is.
“Holly has been affected by Phil’s actions and it has been very difficult. She is devoted to This Morning however and will continue to do the best job she can for them.”
Alison Hammond is expected to join Holly on Monday then co-hosts will be rotated to work with her.
On Saturday Holly issued a statement saying she was “hurt” by the fact that Schofield had lied to her about his relationship with a much younger male colleague.
Yesterday Schofield was scrapped as an ambassador of the Prince’s Trust with the charity saying: “In light of his recent admissions, we have agreed that it is no longer appropriate to work together.”
The Sun told yesterday how Schofield enjoyed trysts with his lover at his £1million ITV flat, and were often seen leaving around 3pm, two hours after filming had ended.
Further pressure piled on ITV last night when it emerged a staffer raised concerns in a February 10, 2020, message to top boss Carolyn McCall, and Julian Bellamy, head of ITV Studios.
The note said: “With the current rumours and accusations swirling around about Phillip Schofield why is he still on our screens? Why have ITV not suspended him pending an internal inquiry?
“I would have thought in this day and age that a mainstream broadcaster ought to be seen to be doing all it can to deal with issues like this, find out where the truth lies and, in the meantime, suspend those who the rumours concern?”
It is reported neither boss replied to the email.
ITV have insisted they did investigate in early 2020 when rumours of a relationship began to surface.
Over the weekend, ITV top boss Kevin Lygo was forced to deny the investigation missed anything and said no mistakes were made when it happened.
Last night Mail Online claimed Schofield’s lover had received a settlement from ITV — after Phil ended the liaison and when the man was moved to another programme.
Staff at the channel have told The Sun an internal battle is raging about who should take the fall.
A separate source said: “Phil’s confession and resignation has not dulled the fire but fanned the flames. ITV need someone to take a hit and show they are taking this seriously.”
Martin Frizell, This Morning boss since 2016, is in the firing line. Our insider said: “Martin is aligning himself with allies. He will fight tooth and nail to stay but many people think the clock is ticking.”
The Sun yesterday laid bare the “bullying culture” at This Morning.
A former colleague claimed Mr Frizell was a “relic from a bygone era, all shouting, swearing and un-PC comments. He can be wildly charismatic, but also terrifying”.
Shares in ITV slipped to a five-month low yesterday.
Car dealer Arnold Clark has said it will not renew sponsorship.