Holly Willoughby's future on This Morning could be in jeopardy as the fallout from Philip Schofield's "ill advised but not illegal" affair with a younger colleague continues.
Last night, Holly, 42, issued a statement on Instagram informing fans that Phil, 61, had lied to her about his relationship with the unnamed man.
But although she claims she too was hoodwinked by the veteran TV star, industry insiders have been asking if she will also be a casualty of her co-star's deceit.
The Mail on Sunday reports : "But despite ITV confirming it has no plans to axe Ms Willoughby, there is speculation within the industry that her position may soon become impossible.
A source said: 'There is a growing feeling that it might be better both for her and the programme to move on so that a line can be drawn under it all. There is a sense that the situation is fast becoming untenable for all involved.'"
Last night's social post was the first time Holly had directly addressed Philip's admission that he had lied to his employers, talent agents, legal team and his friends about rumours he was involved with a much-younger colleague.
It read: "It's taken time to process yesterday's news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
"It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. Holly."
The pair had worked together on the multi-award winning daytime TV show since 2009, enjoying a cosy relationship on screen and off, even regularly holidaying together with their families.
When Phil came out as gay in 2020, he thanked Holly for her support, and even referred to her as his "rock".
ITV confirmed they investigated allegations of an affair in the same year and after speaking to Schofield and his team found the rumours were just 'hearsay.'
Attention has now turned on how the This Morning presenting line-up will look and if the show can continue.
One person who has called on Willoughby to also leave the sofa is Celebrity Big Brother star Kim Woodburn, a previous guest on This Morning, who has been vocal with her criticisms on Schofield - and Holly.
Speaking to Gaydio Kim shared that "didn’t feel sorry" for Schofield and thought he'd had the This Morning gig for "too long".
She said: "Give it to somebody else who is nice and friendly. When somebody is rude and nasty and vicious, which he’s been with me, I can’t feel sorry for him.
"He’s had 20-odd years of earning over £1 million a year. He’s had the job too long."
She also added that she believes it's time for Holly, 42, to leave the daytime show, as she explained: "I don’t think she will have a choice. She isn’t as nice as she makes out."
Kim's outspoken outburst didn't stop there as she also added that Holly had "plotted" to get rid of her ITV co-star: "When he is being to rude to people she never once told him he was being nasty and she lets him do it and she aides and abets him."
Today The People reported that the entire show could be axed after turning "toxic".
ITV ’s chief is said to believe it has been “tarnished beyond repair” after he admitted he lied about a relationship with a younger male colleague.
An ITV Spokesperson said: "As we said on the record yesterday, This Morning is not under review and there’s no plans for the show to be axed. This Morning will return as normal tomorrow.”
