Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby had long shared an on-air partnership, yet on Friday it came crashing to an abrupt halt when Phil confessed to lying about a relationship he was having with a younger employee.
ITV stated it investigated allegations of an affair between Phil and the runner but both parties categorically denied it.
Holly’s tearful on-air apology
Holly Willoughby was forced to issue an apology following an on-air swear word she accidentally let slip during This Morning in Courmayeur, Italy. Viewers were shocked and Holly offered them her sincerest apologies assuring them it wouldn’t happen again. She later assured them of this pledged never to do it again.
Holly made her return to This Morning on Monday with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary after taking a short break, discussing Phillip Schofield’s departure with an opening statement saying it took some time to digest yesterday’s news, which caused much outrage on social media platforms such as Twitter. Holly stated in her statement:
She continued: “I would like to thank Phil for all his hard work on This Morning over the years. As one of Britain’s most knowledgeable and experienced broadcasters, he has brought so much humour and talent to this show.”
She also responded to viewer allegations regarding queue jumping allegations made about she and Phil after they were seen attending the Queen’s lying-in-state at Westminster Hall, explaining they were there in their professional capacities and expressed her regret if anyone felt offended by their presence.
Phil’s statement
Holly issued a statement following the affair allegations: ‘When reports first surfaced of this relationship, I asked Phil directly whether it was true; however, he assured me it wasn’t.
Holly asserted she and Phillip had been close, although their friendship has since been shaken due to Phillip’s admission of having an affair with one of his younger colleagues on This Morning. Since the news of Phillip’s affair was made public, many reports claimed the two former besties were barely speaking behind the scenes of This Morning.
Holly’s statement received mixed reactions online, with many feeling she didn’t show enough remorse for what had occurred. Conversely, several viewers applauded her for taking time and effort to address it head on.
Holly returned to This Morning today with an emotional welcome from Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond, receiving praise from their co-hosts as well as from her fans for the kind messages sent during her absence. Holly thanked fans for all the love shown.
Recently it was reported that Phil would not watch Holly return to the sofa; he is spending time with his elderly mother Pat in Cornwall. According to reports, Phil has been left feeling devastated by his fall from grace and told friends watching Holly return would be too “triggering”. Sources, however, confirm he still supports Holly and wants her to’shine and smash it” on air.
Phil’s exit
Holly Golightly of This Morning is grappling with the fallout over Phil Schofield’s sudden departure. Accompanied by stand-in co-host Josie Gibson, Holly returned to the show on Monday morning and read out a statement at its start; asking viewers if they felt OK while also admitting it felt “very strange indeed”.
Phil was shocked and “utterly broken” after admitting having an affair with a younger male colleague while still married for 21 years, informing his colleagues but failing to notify ITV directly of it initially. According to Phil’s resignation letter he lied when first reporting this affair to staff members and later dropped by agents as well as ITV management.
Holly has maintained that the show will go ahead as planned, regardless of any controversy that might ensue from this situation. Though she may harbor strong personal feelings against Phil, she hasn’t allowed any drama related to his departure to derail her work on the program. From a crisis communications perspective, her initial approach at handling this situation set an alarming example: by affirming it was time for healing while calling him out on “not telling the truth”, she created an environment conducive to conflict and friction within their friendship.
Holly’s return
Holly returned to This Morning on Monday following her absence due to Phillip’s admission of having had an affair with one of Their staff members, leaving her shaken and disturbed.
“I know this has been difficult for all of us. The reality is, though, I am here for all of you and this is my safe space.
On Tuesday, ITV dropped his sponsorship portfolio and agency, YMU. Additionally, he stepped down as patron of Prince’s Trust and ambassador of British Heart Foundation.
Uncertain who will replace him on This Morning remains, with former Loose Women presenter Jane McDonald suggested as a possible candidate – she even made an appearance on a stand-in role at the Brit Awards as part of a stand-in role for This Morning so it remains to be seen whether she will work well on its sofa.
Holly will make a comeback this week as her character Holly Sutton in General Hospital. Last seen suffering under Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy), Holly will help Kelly Kapoor and Phyllis Vance track down Michael who went missing following a car crash.