Phillip Schofield reportedly confronted Holly Willoughby on the phone shortly after their “feud” was made public.
The This Morning presenters are said to be “barely speaking” away from the ITV show.
He issued a statement on Thursday (May 11) stating that “the last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of them”.
READ MORE: Phillip Schofield’s biggest feuds – This Morning row, Amanda Holden fall-out and Kerry Katona
Phillip said: “”As I have said before, Holly is my rock.
“We’re the best of friends — as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.
“Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.
“And Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.
“And of course, Holly has herself been ill with shingles.”
An insider told The Sun that a “devastated” Phillip phoned Holly after their rift was thrusted into the spotlight.
A source said: “Things have been difficult between them, but for it to play out so publicly was the last thing Phil was ever expecting.
“He has spoken with Holly over the phone about how this all played out. He’s devastated by it all and is incredibly upset.”
Holly has not spoken publicly about Phil since The Sun claimed she would want to keep hosting even if he left.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Daily Star has reached out to Holly and Phillio’s representatives for a comment.
It comes after insiders told the publication that their relationship has “cooled” following issues which have “rumbled for some time” on the ITV show.
The source revealed: “Holly adores This Morning and for the first time in 14 years she has made it clear that should Phil ever leave she would want to stay. They are separate entities.
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“To those around them on set, it has become clear recently that Holly and Phil are not as close as they once were.
“Professionally you would have no idea there was anything going on because on camera they are acting exactly the same, but behind the scenes their relationship has cooled.”
Holly first appeared on the This Morning back in 2009 when she replaced Fern Britton.
She has hosted alongside Phil since then as well as presenting with him on Dancing on Ice, which started three years earlier.
After years of working together, the pair developed a close friendship which quickly became evident on screen.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
