THE friendship between former popular daytime TV hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield was once one of the strongest in showbiz.
The bond between the pair appeared to have broken down around the same time Schofield quit his role on This Morning in May 2023, with Holly then stepping down herself in October of that year.
What happened between Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield?
Reports of Holly cutting ties with Phillip first emerged in May 2023, shocking This Morning fans nationwide.
A source told The Sun at the time that they would both continue to work together despite the apparent end of their close friendship, saying: "Holly and Phil are professionals and they can turn it on like no one else.
"Although behind the scenes their relationship is nothing like it was, they are both dedicated to This Morning and keeping it together for viewers."
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The Sun reported that their relationship fell apart when Phillip failed to tell Holly about his brother's child sex offences.
It was claimed that Holly had no idea of the situation until Phillip took time off to attend court proceedings.
There were also reports that Holly felt blindsided by Phillip talking to the press about their relationship.
After weeks of headlines about Phil and Holly's relationship, Phillip announced he would be stepping back from his role on This Morning.
On May 20, 2023, the star said in a statement on Instagram that he was quitting due to the show itself "becoming the story".
He wrote: "I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning.
"But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
"Throughout my career in TV - including the very difficult last few days - I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
"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 top step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
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"I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me - especially This Morning's amazing viewers".
The following week, he quit ITV after it was revealed he had an affair with a much younger male ITV employee.
What did Phillip Schofield say about Holly Willoughby?
Schofield spoke about his former This Morning co-star Willoughby in a June 2023 interview with The Sun.
He stated the pair were no longer speaking after he sent her an apology message following the news about his affair with a much younger colleague.
He said: "I let her (Holly) down. I let that entire show (This Morning) down. I let the viewers down".
Schofield added that he has "lost [his] best friend" and added that Willoughby "did not know" about the affair.
He said: "Holly did not know (about the romance). And she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say, 'I am so, so sorry that I lied to you'.
"She didn't reply and I understand why she didn't reply, as well.
"So yeah. If anyone is in any way linking Holly to this; that is absolutely, wholly untrue."
Schofield continued: 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."
He further reiterated that “nobody knew”.
When did Phillip Schofield join This Morning?
Phillip Schofield has been working in TV and radio since he was 19 years old.
He first started presenting in 1982, working on a show called Shazam! in New Zealand.
He joined This Morning in 2002, replacing John Leslie and co-hosting with Fern Britton.
When did Holly Willoughby join This Morning?
Holly Willoughby has worked in media since the early 2000s.
She worked as a model before becoming a TV presenter and author.
Willoughby joined This Morning in 2009, replacing Fern Britton.
She quit in October 2023 after it was revealed she was the victim of an alleged foiled kidnap plot.
What does the ITV report about Phillip Schofield say?
In December 2023 ITV's review into Schofield's behaviour on This Morning was published.
The presenter and the colleague who he had an affair with were meant to be questioned as part of the inquiry but the review revealed that the pair refused to cooperate.
The report also stated that of the 48 people interviewed, only one person knew of Schofield's affair before May 2023.
ITV stars Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, as well as Willoughby, were said to be interviewed for the probe but none were mentioned in the report.
