Holly Willoughby has signed a seven-figure deal with retail giant M&S after facing backlash for ‘skipping the queue’ to see the Queen lying in state.
The This Morning presenter has been working as a brand ambassador for the retailer since 2018, and now M&S bosses have decided to extend her contract.
By contrast, her co-star Phillip Schofield, who joined her during the ‘Queue-Gate’ ordeal, had his £1million deal with We Buy Any Car come to an end.
READ MORE: Phillip Schofield ‘dumped from £1m We Buy Any Car deal’ amid queue-jumping claims
A statement from Marks & Spencer confirmed: “We have extended our contract with Holly, and we will continue to work with her.”
While an insider told MailOnline of the deal: “Holly has been amazing for Marks & Spencer and has their full support.”
(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)
When fans noted that Phil’s face had disappeared from the We Buy Any Car advertisements, a spokesperson insisted that his deal ending has nothing to do with the skipping the line backlash.
They said: “Webuyanycar and Phillip Schofield agreed earlier this year that the webuyanycar/Phillip Schofield campaign would come to an end in 2022, having worked together for over five years.
“The decision was made prior to any recent stories regarding Phillip.”
(Image: Getty Images)
It comes after ITV bosses insisted Phil and Holly’s jobs on the network are secure despite circulating reports to the contrary, with Chief Executive Dame Carolyn McCall saying: “They did have accreditation. Lots of people saying they didn’t. They were sent by This Morning to do a piece for September 20, which ran.
“They were to interview people inside and outside. They didn’t displace anyone in the queue. And they’ve been very misrepresented, actually.
“And that’s why we made a statement. Unusually, we made a statement to say all of those things. But it does show you how things spread and how misinformation just spreads. And it is really horrible for them.”
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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Meanwhile, Holly and Phil insisted they were given “official permission” as “accredited broadcasters and journalists” to access the hall, but were not given time to pause at the Queen’s coffin.
She said on This Morning: “None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one filed past the queen. We of course respected those rules.
“However, we realise that it may have looked like something else, and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump a queue.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
