Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are rumoured to have cooled off their friendship off-screen.
The hilarious morning TV duo have hosted This Morning since 2009, and formed an incredibly close relationship away from the cameras.
The pair first worked together on Dancing on Ice three years prior to their stint on This Morning - it was there that they developed an amazing chemistry and friendship which has lasted for over a decade.
However, it seems their friendship may be on the rocks. According to reports the close pals' friendship has "cooled" off recently, with Holly keeping her distance from Phil when the cameras aren't rolling.
On Thursday's This Morning Phil and Holly put on a united front - which fits with rumours that they are acting "exactly the same" on TV whilst being "separate entities" backstage.
In 2009, when Fern Britton announced she was stepping away from the ITV daytime TV show, a frantic search began to find her replacement reports the Mirror.
Phillip claimed Holly was "at the top of everybody's list to pick up where Fern leaves off" and the "number one choice", but it later transpired he was a lone voice in suggesting she should get the presenting gig.
Later, Holly revealed that she had heard cruel comments after she was linked to the job, and the only reason she got the role was due to Phil's determination.
Their friendship continued to flourish off-screen and during a special episode of Lorraine, which was dedicated to celebrating Phillip's 40 years in the TV industry, Holly thanked her co-host and best mate for helping her secure the role.
Describing how she got the job , Holly said: "I thank you every day because I know really you were on your own with that school of thought.
"It was down to you kind of standing by that that I got that job without a doubt. Without you there is no way I would be doing This Morning today."
The This Morning hosts were forced to defend their friendship after rumours of a civil war at ITV between Phil and Ruth Langsford arose.
According to reports, Holly allegedly banned Phillip from posting videos of her drinking alcohol on his social media - and apparently asked her management company to break the news.
However, ITV bosses slammed the claims, stating that Phillip and Holly had a "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."
ITV said in a full statement: "It's deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.
"Phillip is a much-respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.
"Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike."
Holly also hit back, determined that there was no way they could 'fake' their close bond whilst spending so much time together.
"We ring each other and talk to each other all the time anyway, about this and other things," Holly told Closer magazine.
She continued: "We know what we’re like. It would be impossible for us to fake the giggles. I’m on the telly for two and a half hours - let me tell you, I’m not that good an actress. If I was, I’d be doing something else."
However, claims that the dynamic with the pair has shifted- with an insider stating that their off-screen banter has "dwindled".
The adored presenting duo have reportedly "cooled" their friendship and don't talk anywhere near as much away from the cameras.
A source told The Sun: "Holly adores This Morning and for the first time in 14 years she has made it clear that should Phil ever leave she would want to stay. They are separate entities.
"To those around them on set, it has become clear recently that Holly and Phil are not as close as they once were.
"Professionally you would have no idea there was anything going on because on camera they are acting exactly the same. But behind the scenes, their relationship has cooled."
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