ITV fans joked that they were surprised This Morning didn’t air before Lorraine today after Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were accused of “jumping the queue” to see The Queen Lying in state on Friday.
The presenting duo broke the silence about the “queue jump” on Tuesday’s (September 20) episode of This Morning.
During a montage of clips over the past 11 days Holly said: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall.
READ MORE:Phil and Holly’s ‘queue jumping’ backlash sparks petition to remove hosts from This Morning
“It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.
“The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast those paying respects walked along a carpeted area inside the coffin and were given time to pause.
(Image: ITV)
“None of the broadcasters and journalists took anyone’s places in the queue and no one filed past the Queen.
“We of course respected those rules however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore we totally understand the reaction.
“Please know that we would never jump a queue.”
Before Tuesday’s This Morning aired, Lorraine viewers took to Twitter to joke about the incident.
One person wrote: “Surprised Holly and Phil didn’t go on ahead of Lorraine #ThisMorning”
Another said: “Noticed that @lorraine is avoiding the Phillip and Holly situation like the plague @thismorning will they be issuing an apology today?”
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
While a third penned: “Is This Morning not on yet? Surprised Holly and Phil didn’t jump in ahead of Lorraine.”
Phil and Holly were accused of “jumping the queue” to see The Queen’s coffin on Friday evening.
This Morning producers previously denied that Holly and Phil jumped the queue and released a statement that read: “This Morning had press accreditation and like other media, Phillip and Holly were escorted to work from the press gallery by government staff. They did not file past The Queen’s coffin.
“They were there alongside a host of other broadcasters and national press outlets for an item that will be broadcast on Tuesday’s show. Any allegations of improper behaviour are categorically untrue.”
(Image: ITV)
However viewers were still left furious and there have been calls for the presenting duo to be sacked.
A petition has been filed on Change.org that demands Holly and Phil are removed from screens received over 5,000 signatures.
You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
