A body language expert has kept a close eye on Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield as they made their first appearance together on TV since claims of a 'rift'. The presenting duo were back fronting This Morning as normal on Monday (May 15) despite claims the pair are not getting on behind the scenes.
Last week, Phillip, 61, hailed Holly, 42, as his "rock" in a statement to The Sun following reports the pair’s relationship has come under strain. He said: “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."
The veteran presenter added: "Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us."
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It comes after Phillip took pre-planned leave from the show around his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month. Holly also recently took time off from the ITV morning programme due to suffering from shingles.
Meanwhile, last September, the pair faced a backlash over claims they skipped the queue for the Queen’s lying in state. Following an online outcry, the chief executive of ITV said Phillip and Holly had been "misrepresented" over the issue and stressed they had been attending as members of the media to film a segment for This Morning.
But back to today and all eyes were on Holly and Phillip as they put on a united front as they appeared side by side on Monday and made no reference to stories in the press about their relationship. The show opened with Disney composer Alan Menken playing a medley on a piano with the hosts discussing afterwards how the appearance was 'right up their street'.
The pair continued to joke with each other throughout the show, including when they took part in a core exercise routine with a celebrity fitness instructor. After they completed a series of abdominal workouts, Schofield asked while laughing: "Is this the first thing we’ve done from the floor?" to which Holly replied: "I think it might be. If you’re just tuning in now you’ll be thinking 'What has happened?'"
Body language expert Judi James has now weighed in, sharing her thoughts on their rather frosty return. She explained to the Mirror: "Phil's body language fight-back looked like a masterclass in stoic bravado as he used the ice-breaker of a guy playing the piano opener to hit the ground sprinting, cheering, clapping and bowing with arms outstretched rather than starting the show in the usual static side-by-side pose beside Holly.
"It smashed any awkwardness out of the park, although Holly's body language looked less convincing. When Phil did turn to join her his leg splay, hands in pockets power pose suggested confidence but Holly's chest-height hand clasp with bent wrists was a self-diminishing gesture and although she adopted a moth smile her eye expression looked sad."
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