Phillip Schofield issues apology to Holly Willoughby as he says ‘I lost my best friend’

Phillip Schofield has spoken out about his friendship with Holly Willoughby in his latest bombshell interview.

For 14 years, the showbiz duo were best friends both on and off screen, but within a matter of weeks their friendship has crumbled.

READ MORE: Phillip Schofield ‘broken and ashamed’ over affair but declares ‘I’m not a groomer’

Now, the disgraced TV presenter has issued an apology to his former co-host for lying to her about his secret relationship with a younger ITV employee.

In an interview with The Sun, the former This Morning presenter confirmed the pair had broken all contact as he admitted it was his brother’s imprisonment that was the final straw for the mum-of-three.

He told the publication: “I’ve lost my best friend. I let her down (Holly). I let that entire show down. I let the viewers down.”

Phil explained that Holly didn’t know about the romance, but added that she was one of the first people he text to say: “I am so, so sorry that I lied to you”.

He said she didn’t reply and added: “If anyone is in any way linking Holly to this; that is absolutely, wholly untrue.”

Phil also shut down rumours of a feud between the pair, adding: “I had no feud with Holly. She is my TV sister. But quite rightly, when I am in the middle of a s**t show with bad press over something where I have done nothing wrong – in fact, I did everything right – it’s a witch hunt. And that strips that (friendship) away.”

On Monday (May 29), the TV presenter was forced to issue a statement surrounding the scandal after questions were raised over what ITV bosses knew about Schofield’s affair.

Taking to her Instagram Story, she wrote: “It has taken time to process yesterday’s news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.

“It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”

And the fallout of the Schofield scandal shows no signs of easing as producers now face backlash surrounding accusations of “toxicity” in the studio from former guests and celebrities.

At the time, ITV granted Holly another weeks holiday from This Morning in the wake of the news after she was already scheduled to take the half-term holiday off alongside Phil.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have been filling in for the usual duo with Holly due to return next Monday (June 5).

Since she spoke out, several of her ITV stars and fellow celebrities including Eamonn Holmes and Katie Hopkins have now urged her to step down from her role on the show after her 13-year reign.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk