Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

This Morning: Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby feud claims are ‘malicious gossip’, ITV says

Report claimed Schofield was additionally subject of internal complaint

Adam White
Saturday 07 December 2019 09:07 EST
Comments
Amanda Holden slams Phillip Schofield live on radio

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

ITV has denied reports that This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are feuding, and that Schofield has been the subject of internal complaints from his colleagues.

Schofield is alleged to have encouraged Willoughby to not talk on-air about her professional success unrelated to This Morning, leading to the pair’s relationship becoming strained in recent months.

It was also alleged that This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford had made a formal complaint to ITV management about Schofield’s conduct after he interrupted her live on air.

The claims, which were published in The Sun, were denied by ITV and This Morning’s editor.

In a statement, an ITV spokesperson said: “It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip. Phillip is a much respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.

They continued, “Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.”

In a separate statement, Martin Frizell, editor of This Morning, said: “I spend hundreds of days a year in their company and what you see is what you get, a genuine friendship from a couple who are both spontaneously funny and professional.

“We have the smartest viewers watching telly and believe me they would be the first to notice any issues – they haven’t because there are none.”

Earlier this year, former This Morning fill-in presenter Amanda Holden said that the three things she would not want in her home were “spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield”.

It followed claims in June that Schofield had blocked Holden from securing a number of high-profile presenting jobs within ITV. Schofield denied the claims.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in