Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have been dealt a huge blow by former This Morning co-star Eamonn Holmes, who has branded the pair "actors" in a scathing attack.
It comes after the This Morning stars have been embroiled in a bitter public fallout after their friendship rapidly deteriorated.
Since September 2022, the pair have been under intense pressure after they were accused of skipping the queue to pay respects to the late Queen Elizabeth while she was lying in state.
Phillip, 61, recently explained things had "not been easy" for him and Holly, 42, leaving his former best friend "blindsided" by his unexpected public statement.
The Mirror revealed that ITV bosses would be prepared to SACK Schofield from his role on the shows he and Holly co-present should viewers notice their "chemistry" had changed.
Eamonn Holmes has now addressed the situation, explaining that Holly and Phillip should have been recognised at Sunday night's BAFTA TV Awards.
Speaking on GB News, Eamonn said: "I think there should have been a special award for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for best actors.
"They may or may not be together on the telly today. The public surely will suss that there's no chemistry, that it's a broken fit between the two of them and that This Morning does not depend on who presents it.
"It's an institution, it will carry on no matter who presents it and anyone can check the viewing figures, there's no difference between whether they present it or anyone else."
Eamonn had previously co-hosted the lunchtime show alongside his wife Ruth Langsford until the pair were reportedly "dropped" in favour of Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary.
The Mirror revealed yesterday that Phillip and Holly will return to the programme today, despite the mounting pressure their friendship is under.
Despite the controversies surrounding Phillip, he is said to be wanting to "tough it out" after Holly made the move to completely cut ties with her former best friend.
A source told us: "To be honest, it's out of his hands, if the viewers don't believe in him and Holly, something's got to give - and that will most likely be Phil, it's a massive week for them both."
Meanwhile, Holly and Phil's contracts are up for renewal in September and Holly is believed to be pushing bosses for a new deal after it emerged that she was willing to front the show without him.
Bosses are believed to be holding key meetings in the coming days to discuss his future on the show with reports suggesting his last appearance could be in the coming weeks.
"Monday is very much D-day, but the same could apply to any day next week," a source said.
This Morning returns to screens at 10am.
