Holly Willoughby issued an official statement after she and Phillip Schofield were accused of "jumping the queue" at the Queen's lying in state.
The This Morning presenters were scrutinised after they both appeared to skip the line for the Queen's lying in state. Members of the public were forced to endure waiting time of hours with the minimum stretching to an entire day in some instances.
Celebrities, television personalities and sporting stars were all spotted in the queue including David Beckham who waited for 12 hours to pay his respects. After Holly and Phil were spotted not having to wait, This Morning was forced to issue a statement following intense backlash.
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During a memorial for the Queen that opened today's show, Holly issued an official statement regarding the queue jump. She said: "As broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall.
"It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person. The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to the platform at the back.
"Those paying respects moved along a carpeted area alongside the coffin and were given time to pause. None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no one filed past the queen.
"We of course respected those rules however we realise it may have looked like something else and completely understand the reaction.
"Please know that we would never jump the queue."
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