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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ignore viewers and get into Christmas spirit after ITV This Morning came under fire

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have ignored some of This Morning viewers complaints that it's 'too early' for Christmas by donning their festive jumpers for a good cause. The presenting pair are among a bunch of TV duos who have donned Christmas jumpers in support of Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day campaign.

This year, famous faces, which also include mother-and-daughter duo Andi and Miquita Oliver, singers Martin and Shirlie Kemp, and Good Morning Britain co-hosts Adil Ray and Charlotte Hawkins, have been photographed wearing festive double-headed jumpers to celebrate the Government’s commitment to double every donation to Save the Children for this year’s Christmas Jumper Day.

Speaking about her involvement in this year’s campaign, Holly, 41, said: "I'm really excited to be taking part in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day again this year and I’m delighted that I get to do it alongside Phil!"

READ MORE: ITV This Morning fans make demand as Josie Gibson returns in glam style with new game they refuse to play

Phillip, 60, added: “I’m supporting Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day because I never forget we knitted squares for Save the Children when I was in infant school – so sometime last century. It’s such a brilliant cause and I had so much fun trying to squeeze into that jumper with Holly!"

The pair can be seen in photos smiling in their festive knits, with mum-of-three Holly donning a red and green jumper adorned with printed snowflakes and the addition of her namesake, holly berry. Phillip, meanwhile, opted for a jumper which features a sweet pug donning reindeer ears surrounded by stars and snowballs.

A number of solo celebrities are also backing the campaign, which helps to improve the lives of children around the world, including singer and presenter Olly Murs, Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice, GMB presenter Kate Garraway and Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

To encourage people to make sustainable choices when it comes to their fashion footprints, all the celebrities supporting the campaign are modelling second-hand vintage jumpers, some of which will be distributed to Save the Children charity shops across the country. The charity is also urging the public to up-cycle old jumpers to create new festive looks instead of purchasing new ones.

(PA)

The pictures of Holly and Phillip in their festive jumpers comes after This Morning viewers were left frustrated last week as the show dropped a few Christmas hints.. During last Wednesday's show, f ollowing the opening credits, Holly and Phillip appeared on the screen. "Hello, good morning," Holly said before adding: "Oo, that sounds nice doesn't it?" referring to the fact Michael Buble's version of It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas was playing out in the studio.

And it was hard to not notice the Christmas tree that appeared behind the hosts as Holly reminded viewers that on yesterday's show, they started the countdown to Christmas following their impressive Halloween special episode days before. Phillip then started to chat about Christmas films before introducing a look at a new festive movie heading to cinemas in a matter of weeks.

But This Morning viewers were initially left puzzled by the sight of a Christmas tree - even though it didn't stick around for the entire show. @TheRealDeclanK1 asked: "Why is there a Christmas tree on #ThisMorning." @Garcon_Marc tweeted: "Not the Christmas tree already up #ThisMorning." @UKTVForever said: "#ThisMorning WTF it’s Not even December yet & the TM studio has got the Xmas Tree up."

It came after viewers were left horrified when Holly and Phillip officially declared it as Christmas on the show on November 1. IT came while discussing Mariah Carey who took to social media to declare Halloween was over before slipping into her iconic Christmas outfit. The American singing superstar told her followers that 'it's time' for '#MariahSZN' as she shared a video of her transition from an all-black catsuit to wearing the iconic red bodysuit the 52-year-old wore on the cover of her 1994 Merry Christmas album.

Meanwhile, Save the Children said its Christmas Jumper Day – being held on December 8 and which asks those taking part to donate £2 – has raised more than £30 million since launching in 2012. For 2022, the campaign is set to reach twice as many children as before due to the Government’s Aid Match funding which will double every donation up to £2 million.

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