The last few weeks have been a bit chaotic for ITV's This Morning following speculation of a feud between presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, which is said to have been brewing for quite some time – long before Phil announced that he was 'stepping away' from the show he has presented for over 20 years.
Phillip announced on Saturday that he was departing from This Morning with 'immediate effect' following speculation he and co-host Holly Willoughby were no longer speaking off camera.
Feud claims mounted after Phillip's brother's sex abuse trial, and the queue-gate drama back in September after both Phil and Holly were falsely accused of skipping the line to see the late Queen Elizabeth lying-in-state.
It appears that trouble could have kicked off long before rumours of a feud between Holly and Phil even emerged, writes The Mirror.
Things could have well taken a turn in their seemingly unbreakable friendship after Phillip reportedly 'destroyed Holly's plans for a big change on This Morning'.
The pair, who have presented alongside one another for more than 13 years, are reported to have 'fallen out for good' after Phillip went over Holly's head on This Morning after she requested an all-female cast and crew for International Women's Day.
In March, Holly and the show's editor Martin Frizell had reportedly decided that an all-female presenting line-up would be a great way to mark International Women's Day.
However, Phillip was reportedly not pleased with the idea and being left out and went over Holly's head over the matter.
According to Mail Online, Phil "went to ITV's big boss Emma Gormley to put a stop to them".
After Phil allegedly "put his foot down", Holly was only allowed to host the first section of the show surrounded by the show's female production staff while Phillip took some time away from the This Morning set.
Later, Phil rejoined Holly on the famous couch as if nothing had happened.
Speaking to the publication, an insider claimed: "Holly was livid about Gormley's decision and the fact Phillip had undermined her, and made that very clear to numerous people at ITV.
"It was the first real sign to This Morning staff that their relationship had fractured and Holly wanted to step out of Phillip's shadow."
On Saturday afternoon, Phil posted a Instagram Story announcing his departure from the show, with no mention of his co-star Holly.
He wrote: "I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
"Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
"I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
"So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future."
An ITV spokesperson later said: "Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV."
It is yet to be announced who will replace Phil permanently.
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