Leigh Francis has made headlines after speaking out about the recent Russell Brand scandal - and now, he's revealed that he reached out to both Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby after 'all the telly drama' on This Morning unfolded. The Celebrity Juice presenter, who is better known for his alter-ego Keith Lemon, has admitted that he 'reached out to everyone' following the news earlier this year that Phillip had engaged in an affair with a younger male colleague.
Leigh, who used to front his popular ITV panel show with Holly and Fearne Cotton for over 10 years, has lots of friendships in the industry, and sent messages to all his pals at the television organisation to check how they were doing when the news broke out in May. Phillip admitted to an 'unwise but not illegal' affair that Holly insisted she was unaware of.
Leigh last saw Holly at his 50th birthday party in April this year (Dave Benett/Getty Images for BGC)In an interview with MailOnline, the comedian said he reached out to both Holly, 42, and Phillip, 61, with a supportive message. He explained: "Throughout all the telly drama, I just text people and go, 'Are you ok?' I reached out to everyone." Leigh also shared his thoughts on why Holly had returned to host on the famous couch, joking: "They pay well, don't they?" It was recently reported that Holly could expect a pay rise this year, with her salary rumoured to be jumping from £700,000 to £1 million.
Leigh added: "I'm guessing she still enjoys it, so I think you should leave a show when you don't enjoy it anymore." A source previously told the Mirror that Holly "sees her future very much on the sofa". They said: "Holly is determined to stay put - the only reason she would leave now is if This Morning is axed. She has absolutely no plans to leave."
Leigh explained that he hadn't seen Holly or Phillip in person since April at his birthday party, when he hosted a huge costume bash at a private members' club in London to celebrate his 50th. He was joined at Soho's White City House by an impressive guest list of celebrity friends, including the former duo, Fearne, Emma Bunton and Kimberley Walsh.
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It comes after Leigh weighed in on the Russell Brand scandal and said he felt 'sad' for both the comedian and the women involved. Brand, 48, has been accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse at the height of his fame in an investigation by The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches - allegations which he vehemently denies.
Speaking to MailOnline, Leigh said: "I promised myself I wouldn't comment on it - it's just sad, isn't it? It's a saddening thing for everyone. It's sad for the ladies, it's sad for his family and it's sad for him." Admitting he fears being cancelled because, "It's easy to offend loads of people," he insisted he doesn't ever worry about being hit with similar claims to those Brand is facing because of his long-term partnership and marriage.
"I've been married to the same lady since I was a little boy," he said of his wife, Jill Carter. "I met my wife when I was 19, and I got married when I was 30 to the same lady, so there's no worry about me getting cancelled for that." Leigh, who was born and raised in Leeds, tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Jill back in 2002 at Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire, and the couple have two daughters together, Matilda and Dolly.
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