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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock & Paul T Smith

ITV This Morning: 'Serious concerns' raised over Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's wellbeing

There are said to be 'serious concerns' for the wellbeing of This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield as controversy continues over their visit to Westminster Hall where the Queen lay in state.

A petition has been started calling for both presenters to be sacked, which has gathered over 50,000 signatures.

The pair have been the target of 'relentless' trolling ever since they were spotted on the BBC live feed from the historic hall, leading to a row that they had "jumped the queue".

Holly and Phillip released a pre-recorded statement on This Morning on Tuesday insisting they would 'never jump a queue' and explained they had media accreditation.

And even with the petition that called for the duo to be axed from television reaching 50,000 signatures, it was reported that Holly and Phil won't be quitting their job.

Because of the intense backlash, there have been worries about the presenters' wellbeing.

"There are huge, real and serious concerns over their wellbeing and ITV is fully supporting them behind the scenes in the face of such relentless trolling," a source told The Mirror.

"The channel backs them 110 per cent."

The source said that Holly and Phil have felt reassured by ITV's stance, and dismissed rumours that Holly could even quit the show, or that her job is at risk.

"She adores her job and would never quit. The whole experience has been totally brutal but one thing has remained constant, and that’s been ITV’s unwavering support," the source added.

However, angry viewers have taken to change.org to sign the petition titled 'Axe Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from TV'.

The page was launched on Saturday by Laura Harrison, who called the duo 'toxic.'

"If enough people sign we can show ITV that the public do matter," wrote Laura.

Change.org isn't the only website that upset viewers took to in order to share their disappointment.

Following the furore surrounding the presenters' appearance at Queen Elizabeth's lying in state, regulator Ofcom reported that the ITV day show has come under fire for a controversial update to the Spin To Win game which did not sit well with viewers.

The daytime show had already received 170 complaints for a "dystopian" twist to the traditional format, which gave players the chance to win payment of their energy bills.

It was revealed that a further 209 complaints have been made to Ofcom – bringing the total now to almost 400.

It comes after it was reported by The Sun that the atmosphere is "miserable" backstage on This Morning since the row erupted.

"You can cut the atmosphere with a knife backstage. The mood is awful behind the scenes and this isn’t going away. Everyone hopes it blows over soon."

When Holly and Phillip returned to our screens, viewers were concerned about Holly's appearance and claimed she looked distraugh t.

"Holly looks like she's been crying all night," one viewer Tweeted. Another said: "Holly has never been so quiet. I don’t envy anyone in the public eye."

A third remarked: "Holly completely Not Herself."

Another added: "Is Holly ok? She’s not looking herself. She looks like she’s been crying before going on air."

Some viewers have remarked that Holly has spent "three sleepless nights crying" about the queue-jumping scandal. Bosses were forced to issue a statement after rumours began circulating that the pair 'jumped the queue '.

A spokesperson for ITV said: "Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something. We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.

"They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event."

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