Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield appeared on TV together yesterday, for the first time since reports broke of their apparent friendship fallout.
The pair have a longstanding professional relationship and are best known for co-hosting ITV's This Morning, which airs on Virgin Media in Ireland. They have hosted the show together since 2009.
The duo have also worked together on other projects including Dancing on Ice and are widely praised for their strong on-screen chemistry, warm rapport and banter.
READ MORE: What happened with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby? ‘Feud’ explained as pair return to TV
Off-screen they have been known to share a close friendship and once described their relationship as “like family”. Up until recently, their social media pages were full of gushing tributes to each other and photos of joint family holidays.
But in recent days, the pair have faced intense coverage as their reported private fallout became public knowledge, Mirror UK reports.
After a number of rumoured back-stage disputes, things are said to be so strained that the pair are now "barely speaking" off-camera. So what happened to break their seemingly impenetrable bond?
'Jealousy'
In 2019, reports suggested strain in Holly and Phillip's working relationship due to claims of 'jealousy' on Phillip's part when Holly replaced Ant McPartlin on the 2018 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here and won a BAFTA for it.
He allegedly didn't want Holly to mention her I'm A Celebrity victory on This Morning and there are claims he wasn't happy a photo spread in a weekend newspaper had focused on Holly and not him.
A source told The Sun: "Phillip was furious. He didn't want Holly mentioning her triumph when they reunited on This Morning.
"It felt very petty and bitter for someone who is his close friend. But it felt like he was jealous."
Tensions are said to have rose when Holly requested Phillip stop posting videos of her drinking on social media - but used their joint management company to deliver her request.
This Morning bosses defended their friendship, denying any unrest and affirming their "genuine friendship".
A spokesperson said: "We have the smartest viewers watching telly and believe me they would be the first to notice any issues - they haven't because there are none."
In 2021, Holly addressed the rumors, stating that despite media speculation, they remained great friends without any arguments.
She told pal Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast: "I was watching from afar when you've got every person in the press saying that you and Phillip are having a tough time. Meanwhile, you're great friends and there were no arguments.
"That was a particularly difficult time. But I remember having a conversation with Phillip and it was like, 'But we know'.
"I have to believe that, as long as you know inside, and you know the truth - you know your truth – then everything is ok."
Queue-gate
Last September, Holly and Phillip faced social media backlash when falsely accused of 'queue-jumping' to visit Britain's Queen lying in state.
They issued a statement to clarify the situation, but public anger persisted, leading to a petition with over 75,000 signatures calling for their removal from their ITV show.
A source told OK! that the atmosphere in the studio was "awful" and the Queue-gate drama has made their relationship "extremely awkward".
The insider said: "You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. "The fact that the audience are now noticing it too indicates that big cracks are starting to show."
At the time, Phillip and Holly told viewers: "Like hundreds of accredited 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 a platform at the back. In contrast those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause. None of the broadcasters and journalists took anyone's places in the queue and no one filed past the Queen.
"We of course respected those rules however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore we totally understand the reaction.
"Please know that we would never jump a queue."
Kept in the dark
Despite their close relationship, Phillip allegedly kept Holly unaware about his brother Timothy's trial for child sex offenses. Timothy was convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
During the trial, Phillip took a three-week break from This Morning and publicly rejected his brother.
Fans were surprised when Holly, upon Phillip's return, took a week off sick with shingles.
An insider told the Daily Mail: "Holly had to find out from someone else, which must have been awful for her. She has been so loyal to him."
Holly distancing herself
Fans noticed that Holly, aged 42, has apparently removed Phillip from her social media accounts in recent weeks. Previously, her Twitter bio mentioned being introduced to Twitter by a "Twitter legend," with a tag to her presenting partner.
However, her updated bio now focuses on her roles as a broadcaster, founder of Wyldemoon, brand ambassador for Marks & Spencer and Garnier, and author of Reflections - something that didn't slip past her and Phillip's viewers.
The Mirror UK reported exclusively last week that Holly has been urging ITV to make a decision regarding Phillip, allowing her to rebrand herself and plan for the future if necessary.
A source said: "Holly was considering her position on the show earlier this year, as she couldn't see Phillip being ousted.
"But that is now a real possibility and she wants to see a decision made on both of their futures quickly.
"That is what is behind Holly asking her team to reach out to ITV – she is trying to move things forward.
"There has been no bloodbath meeting yet, but that could well be to come. The sooner it happens, the sooner she can rebrand herself."
It is understood Holly now sees her distance from Phillip as an opportunity to rebrand herself as a "woman's woman", fronting the show with Alison Hammond – as she did during Phillip's absence from the sofa last month.
Shock statement
In a statement to The Sun, Phillip addressed any suggestion of a strained friendship with Holly, asserting that their bond remained strong.
He described Holly as his "rock" and emphasised the support he received from her, as well as from his bosses, editor Martin Frizell, the This Morning family, and their dedicated viewers during a challenging period for his family.
Phillip said: "The last few weeks haven't been easy for either of us. My family went through a real ordeal.
"And Holly's support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers."
Phillip explained that Holly had been his pal through "thick and thin".
But Holly is said to have been "blindsided" and "deeply upset" by the statement as she had no idea Phillip was going to speak publicly about their rumoured rift.
A source claimed it was "desperate stuff" from Phillip given the current state of their relationship.
There was no public reply from Holly.
READ NEXT:
Four large buildings to provide accommodation to asylum seekers in coming weeks
Taoiseach does not believe there are enough Gardaí to handle anti-asylum protests
Katie Taylor tips Gary Cully as a future world champion - and loves Irish-stacked 3Arena undercard
Rachael Blackmore bags winner at Killarney as she awaits investigation over controversial ride
Get showbiz news direct to your inbox by signing up to the Irish Mirror's showbiz newsletter
