This Morning bosses in crisis talks after Phillip Schofield ‘confronted Holly Willoughby in tense call’ as he fears he will be axed over ‘feud’
ITV bosses were in crisis talks over Phillip Schofield’s future on This Morning last night, after he was said to have ‘confronted’ Holly Willoughby in a tense phone call.
Holly is considering her own position following the pair’s fall-out after 14 years hosting the popular daytime show together.
Holly is said to have been ‘blindsided’ after her co-star went behind her back to release an extraordinary statement confirming rumours of a rift.
Chiefs at the network called meetings to discuss what to do next amid the duo’s row and Schofield’s popularity with the programme’s viewers plummeting.
And the Daily Mail can also reveal that the channel would not confirm that Monday’s episode of This Morning would take place as normal. The pair host the chat show together from Monday to Thursday every week.
ITV bosses were in crisis talks over Phillip Schofield’s (left) future on This Morning last night, leading to fears over Monday’s show after falling out with Holly Willoughby (right)
Phillip’s contract is up for renewal in September but because he takes the summer holidays off, his final episode would be in July if ITV were to axe him.
Holly, 42, is said to be mulling over how her career moves forward, as those close to her fear that there is ‘no way back’ for her friendship with Phillip.
Sources close to the star say she was ‘surprised and sad’ that her co-star, 61, released a statement on Thursday night where he confirmed their friendship had been under strain recently.
He said: ‘The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. 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.’
However, friends of Holly view the outburst as a ‘betrayal’ and some of her loved ones are now urging her to ditch Phillip – the man who gave her her break on This Morning back in 2009.
One said: ‘The statement came out of nowhere for Holly and it was upsetting. What a betrayal. It feels like Phil is looking after himself here, with no regard for her.
‘Can she move forward with Phil? Probably not. That’s certainly what those who care for her are saying.’
Rumours of a rift began after it was claimed Holly was upset that she heard from a third party about Phillip’s brother Timothy’s child sex court case in March
Rumours of a rift began after it was claimed Holly was upset that she heard from a third party about Phillip’s brother Timothy’s child sex court case in March.
Phillip’s statement to The Sun newspaper read: ‘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.
‘And of course Holly has herself been ill with shingles.’
Meanwhile, This Morning editor Mr Frizell has pulled his support for Phillip having previously been a staunch supporter of the star.
Sources said he is fed up with clearing up Phillip’s ‘mess’. Holly has made it clear that she has no intentions to leave This Morning.
It is likely that if Phillip does depart it would become her show or she would be joined by Alison Hammond.
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