Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s friendship allegedly ended after a bust-up on International Women’s Day.
GB News presenter Dan Wootton claims their relationship became “fractured” after a disagreement on the format for This Morning on March 8.
Dan said Holly reportedly “decided that there should be an all-female presenting line-up to mark the occasion” much to Phil’s dislike.
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He alleged that Phil “went over her head” to ITV bosses to ensure her idea didn’t happen.
The GB News star wrote in the Daily Mail: “As a result, Holly was only allowed to host the first section of the show surrounded by the show’s female production staff, while Phillip was dispatched to a café down the road for a live item.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“Holly was livid about [Emma] Gormley’s [Managing Director, ITV Daytime] decision and the fact Phillip had undermined her, and made that very clear to numerous people at ITV.
“It was the first real sign to This Morning staff that their relationship had fractured and Holly wanted to step out of Phillip’s shadow.”
Phil announced he would be “stepping down with immediate effect” in a statement released on Saturday (May 20).
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
He said: “I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
(Image: PA)
Holly also released a statement on her Instagram story.
It read: “It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour,” she wrote. “The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
Daily Star has contacted Holly and Phil’s reps for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
