Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are currently embroiled in feud rumours concerning their long-running friendship - but sources say the tension isn't new.
The presenters have stood side by side on ITV's This Morning for 14 years, but in recent weeks, it has been reported that the pair are no longer on speaking terms off camera. While the rift is on everyone's tongues this past week, it could be possible that Holly and Phillip first fell out a number of years ago.
Holly has remained silent on the situation, but Philip released a statement earlier this week, admitting that their relationship has become "strained" this year, reports the Mirror. Now, insiders claim that Willoughby first began to distance herself from Schofield way back in 2020.
Speculations began this month when a show insider revealed that the pair "barely speak" and those on set can tell both aren't as close as they once were. It is reported that Holly was "blindsided" and "deeply upset" after Schofield spoke out - with This Morning viewers claiming her body language towards him has changed drastically.
Back in 2020 during the pandemic, Holly went to war with her and Phil’s agents YMU Group.The This Morning host chose to leave YMU to start her own agency (Roxy Management) but ended up in a legal battle over their claim for 15 per cent of her future earnings.
While Holly bagged £1million in an out-of-court settlement with the agency - Phil remains a shareholder.
Phillip has previously been reported to earn £1million from YMU, with an insider saying: “Phil is very much a big player at YMU and is widely regarded there.” The huge change saw a 'power shift between the once unbreakable partnership', with Holly becoming a bigger star than Phil.
A source told The Sun: “Holly quietly started to distance herself from Phil back in 2020. She created her own female-led agency for a reason and that was to champion women.
“The legal issues rumbled on for 18 months but Holly fought for what was right. Ultimately, Phil chose to stay and Holly chose to leave, it wasn’t easy at the time.”
On Monday, May 10, Phillip broke his silence on claims the pair are no longer as close as they were following years of a close friendship, with the pair fronting shows including This Morning and Dancing On Ice.
The pair have continued to put on a united front at work each morning on ITV screens but rumours have suggested the close pals' friendship has become strained.
However, it has since emerged that Holly had no idea her co-host was planning on releasing a statement and saw his words for the first time when the article was published online.
"Holly had to find out from someone else which must have been awful for her. She has been so loyal to him," the source told The Mail. "It has been upsetting for her, they have been pretty inseparable for 14 years.
"They have been through so much together, some happy and some really tough. But now their once super close friendship is no longer."
It has also been reported that Holly is now considering a TV future without Phillip as she takes advice from those close to her on how to move forward in her career.
The ITV duo have been colleagues and close pals for over 17 years, having first met while presenting Dancing on Ice in 2006. Phillip and Holly's representatives have been contacted for comment.
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