As it happenedended

This Morning: Holly and Phil ignore feud rumours in ‘awkward’ episode of ITV series

The pair hosted the daytime show as normal despite claims of behind-the-scenes friction

Jacob Stolworthy

Tuesday 16 May 2023 00:45 EDT

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Holly And Phil's funniest This Morning moments

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Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield returned to This Morning days after claims of a fallout.

Their presence on this week’s episodes of the ITV daytime series were thrown into question after a recent report said the pair were “barely speaking” off camera.

Schofield denied the claims, but Willoughby has remained silent on the subject. In a statement, Schofield said: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us,” but said he views his co-host as his “rock”.

The TV presenter added: “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.”

All eyes were on the pair as they returned to host This Morning for the first time since the claims surfaced. However, there was no reference to the behind-the-scenes controversy during the two-hour broadcast.

While some viewers picked up on some “awkwardness” between the duo, others praised their professionalism for “grinning and bearing it” despite the fact they are currently in the headlines.

Below were the live updates as they happened.

A loaded segment coming up next, presented by Holly Willoughby: ‘Making working with your partner look easy.’ The teleprompter writer must be having a laugh there.

Jacob Stolworthy15 May 2023 10:37

Viewers can’t help but detect awkwarndess between the pair – perhaps heightened by the absence of a statement about the alleged feud.

Jacob Stolworthy15 May 2023 10:47

But let’s be fair, they’re also having a few laughs! Perhaps we’re all on high alert because of the reports. Without them, would we detect anything? Probably not.

Jacob Stolworthy15 May 2023 10:59

Phil and Holly are now engaging their core while exercising. It’s probably relieving a lot of stress from the past few days...

Jacob Stolworthy15 May 2023 11:21

So the episode ended with no mention of a feud. But there did seem to be some awkwarndess, which dissipated as the minutes went on. But it was very much business as usual.

Watch the intro to today’s episode below.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield present This Morning amid feud rumours

Jacob Stolworthy15 May 2023 12:33

Rob Beckett made a savage joke about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield during his opening monologue at the 2023 Bafta TV awards on Sunday night (14 May).

At the start of the event at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Beckett told the crowd: “Imelda Staunton is here. It’s exciting, isn’t it?

“She’s nominated for her performance in The Crown. Apparently, Phil and Holly got to watch that a couple of days before everybody else.”

Beckett’s joke was a reference to the This Morning presenters being accused of jumping the queue to see the Queen lying in state last year, which was met with a nationwide backlash.

More below.