Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have been the best of pals for 17 years – but their friendship is now said to be on the rocks after a 'tense' few weeks.
The TV presenters became close after co-presenting Dancing on Ice together in 2006.
Such was their on-screen chemistry, Phillip personally picked Holly to front ITV ’s This Morning with him when Fern Britton left the show in 2009.
Away from the cameras the pair formed an incredibly close friendship, with their families even holidaying together almost every year.
But Holly is said to be ‘deeply upset’ after Phillip released a public statement about their friendship, suggesting all is not well between them.
It is claimed Phillip kept Holly in the dark over his brother Timothy facing child sex offences, of which he was found guilty of and will be sentenced next week.
This led to Phillip taking three weeks off This Morning - and Holly herself was off the show for a week with shingles.
An insider told the Mail’s Katie Hind : “Holly had to find out from someone else, which must have been awful for her. She has been so loyal to him.”
Things are thought to be so strained between Holly and Phillip that the pair are now ‘barely speaking’ when they are not presenting This Morning.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed 42-year-old Holly has seemingly wiped Phillip from her social media in recent weeks.
In her Twitter bio she had previously written: "I was introduced to this by a Twitter legend," before tagging her presenting partner.
Her Twitter bio now reads: "Broadcaster, Founder of Wyldemoon, Brand ambassador for Marks & Spencer and Garnier, Author of Reflections” - something that didn't slip past her and Phil's viewers.
Holly is also said to have been ‘blindsided’ by a statement Phillip released about their almost two decades long friendship.
In a statement to The Sun, Phillip shut down any suggestion that his friendship with Holly has suffered in recent weeks.
Describing her as his ‘rock’, he 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".
Meanwhile, a source claimed it was "desperate stuff" from Phillip given the current state of their relationship.
It comes after sources claimed Holly was prepared to front This Morning alone, should Phillip leave the programme.
Insiders explained that their frosty relationship is clear to see for those around the pair in the TV studio and is completely different to how they appear on TV.
The Mirror has contacted representatives for Holly and Phillip for further comment on this story.
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