Thousands of This Morning fans have signed a petition to see Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield 'axed' from the programme as they continue to face backlash over accusations they 'jumped the queue' to see the Queen lie in state.
Prior to her funeral on Monday, September 19, Queen Elizabeth II spent four days lying in state at Westminster Hall. Hundreds of thousands of people queued for up to 14 hours to pay their final respects to the late monarch following her death, aged 96, at Balmoral on September 8.
It came after her coffin spent a brief period lying in state at St Giles' Cathedral in Scotland following her death at her Scottish Highlands home. She then made the journey from Edinburgh to London where she was received privately at Buckingham Palace by her family before one last night at 'the office', as she reportedly called the iconic landmark.
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On Monday morning, ahead of the Queen's state funeral, the last mourners paid their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall before the was taken to Westminster Abbey in procession with her children and grandchildren behind her.
However, an outpouring of outrage ensued after Holly, 41, and Phillip, 60, were accused of 'jumping the queue' when they were spotted in Westminster Hall on Friday. This Morning has since hit back at the claims.
A statement on the programme’s Instagram account 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."
But This Morning viewers haven't all accepted the explanation and are calling for the pair to be sacked from the ITV daytime show. A petition, on Change.org, had been signed my more than 13,900 people at the time of writing.
Their This Morning colleague Alice Beer was also fast-tracked to pay her respects to the Queen with her media pass, and she was quick to insist she didn't "queue-jump". Speaking to Holly about the experience on the ITV daytime show, Alice said: "Incredible. Just before dawn I was allowed into an appointed slot in Westminster Hall.
"Let's just be very clear, I didn't take anyone's place in the queue. I wasn't queue jumping. This was a a slot for a reporter or member of the press so that I could tell you about it. Witness it and share it with you. And that was a complete honour."
But viewers have already been sharing who they'd like to host the show instead. @DebsGlyn tweeted: "The viewers won’t forget this one .Josie and Craig and Ruth And Rylan will be getting that phone call very soon I think. #thismorning." @WillsherDebbie said: "Please please bring back Rylan and Ruth. THANK YOU #ThisMorning."
@Rhianlovesbooks posted: "I think spin to win should decide who the next permanent presenters of #ThisMorning should be, Rylan & Ruth, Alison & Dermot, Josie and Vernon and I think Andi Peters is good on there too." @Loriens_Leaves added: "The show needs a shake up with the presenters. I absolutely love Alison & Dermot - they should do more days. Josie and Craig should be on weekly too #ThisMorning."
It comes after fellow ITV star Susanna Reid, who hosts Good Morning Britain, queued for several hours with her 81-year-old mother and former footballer David Beckham spent more than 12 hours waiting to pay his respects among thousands of other mourners. And in the final night of the Queen's lying in state, singer James Blunt was spotted alongside his wife Sofia Wellesley in the miles-long queue stretching through London.
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