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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Jessica Gibb

ITV confirms Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's fate amid growing pressure

ITV have confirmed Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield will NOT be leaving This Morning in the immediate future.

It had been reported that Holly was so "upset" about their rumoured feud that she could be absent from work on Monday morning. But ITV has now officially confirmed to the Mirror: "Holly and Phillip will be back on the sofa tomorrow."

It will be a case of grin and bear it for the veteran TV hosts who have faced a number of controversies in recent months. Low points include queue skipping to see the late Queen lying in state and Phil taking time away from This Morning while his brother was on trial for sex crimes.

Read more: Man charged with public order offence after asylum camp set alight in Dublin city centre

Holly was absent when Phil finally returned to screens and it emerged this weekend that Holly has reportedly cut ties with her longtime TV co-host and close friend.

The Mirror exclusively reported last night that she'd been pushing for ITV to make a decision on Schofield so she can rebrand herself and plan for the future if needs be.

But it seems the presenting duo are sticking together for now and will attempt to weather the storm. The pair have had an impressive 14-year run of presenting This Morning together.

And Phil was instrumental in taking Holly's career to the next level, insisting the then 28-year-old join him at the helm.

When Fern Britton announced she was stepping down from ITV's flagship daytime show in March 2009, a frantic search began to find her replacement.

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.

She was written off by critics claiming she would be '"unable to interview a Prime Minister".

Speaking on Elizabeth Day's podcast How To Fail in November last year, Holly explained: "If it wasn't for Phil, I wouldn't be on This Morning now because everyone around him at the time when he suggested my name, were like, 'What? No! She might be alright in the fashion bit but there’s no way she could interview the Prime Minister…'"

During a special episode of Lorraine, which was dedicated to celebrating Phillip's 40 years in the TV industry, Holly thanked her This Morning co-host for helping her secure the role.

On how he stepped in to push for her to get 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."

Off-screen, their friendship flourished with the pair and their families holidaying to Portugal together almost every year.

Their partners, Stephanie and Dan Baldwin, became friends too, while Phil's daughters Ruby and Molly doted on Holly's younger kids, Harry, Belle and Chester.

Amid the recent feud rumours Holly and Phil have reportedly cancelled their annual holidays together.

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