They've been co-presenters and best pals for more than 17 years, but as Phillip Schofield steps down from This Morning, will this be the end of his and Holly Willoughby's special friendship?
It's the hottest question in showbiz after sources claimed earlier this month that the pair were "separate entities" and their seemingly impenetrable partnership had "cooled".
Since meeting on Dancing on Ice in 2006 and going on to present the ITV hit morning show 13 years ago, Holly and Phil have always been fan favourites with viewers - thanks to their undeniable chemistry and explosive fits of giggles.
But after a number of rumoured backstage disputes, their beloved bond has taken a hit and now the duo are reportedly 'barely speaking' off-camera.
So, where did it all go wrong for Holly and Phil? Here is everything we know about the pair's 'feud'...
'Jealousy'
Back in 2019, their working relationship was said to have become 'strained' amid claims that Phil was 'jealous' when Holly replaced Ant McPartlin on the 2018 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here and won a BAFTA for it.
Sources alleged that Phil banned Holly from speaking about her victory on the show, and claimed he wasn't happy about a photo spread in a weekend newspaper that had focused on Holly and not him.
The source told The Sun: "Phillip was furious. He didn't want Holly mentioning her triumph when they reunited on This Morning.
"It felt very petty and bitter for someone who is his close friend. But it felt like he was jealous."
Tensions were also said to have increased when Holly allegedly wanted Phil to stop posting videos of her boozing on social media but used their joint management company to deliver her request.
This Morning bosses hit back at the claims and said Phillip and Holly had a "genuine friendship".
A spokesperson said: "We have the smartest viewers watching telly and believe me they would be the first to notice any issues - they haven't because there are none."
ITV also refuted any unrest, saying in a full statement: "It's deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.
"Phillip is a much respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.
"Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike."
Finally addressing the rumours in 2021, Holly told pal Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast that she couldn't deal with people having the wrong idea.
She said: "I was watching from afar when you've got every person in the press saying that you and Phillip are having a tough time. Meanwhile, you're great friends and there were no arguments.
"That was a particularly difficult time. But I remember having a conversation with Phil and it was like, 'But we know'."
Holly added: "I have to believe that, as long as you know inside, and you know the truth - you know your truth – then everything is ok."
Queue-gate drama
The pair found themselves at the centre of a social media backlash in September after being falsely accused of jumping the queue to visit the Queen lying in state.
This Morning and the presenters later issued a statement clarifying the issue, but public anger continued to rise - with over 75,000 signing a petition to axe Holly and Phil from the ITV show.
A source told OK! that the atmosphere in the studio was "awful" and the Queue-gate drama has made their relationship "extremely awkward".
"You could cut the tension in the room with a knife," the insider said. "The fact that the audience are now noticing it too indicates that big cracks are starting to show."
At the time, Phil and Holly told viewers: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall.
"It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person.
"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
"None of the broadcasters and journalists took anyone's places in the queue and no one filed past the Queen.
"We of course respected those rules however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore we totally understand the reaction.
"Please know that we would never jump a queue."
Kept in the dark
Despite their closeness, Phillip is said to have kept Holly in the dark over his brother Timothy's trial for child sex offences. Last week, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy.
During the hearing, Phil - who has now publicly rejected his brother - took three weeks off work from This Morning, and fans were surprised when, on his return, Holly took a week off sick with shingles.
An insider told the Daily Mail: "Holly had to find out from someone else, which must have been awful for her. She has been so loyal to him."
Distancing herself
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.
Before Phillip announced his immediate leave from This Morning, Holly had reportedly been pushing for ITV to make a decision, so she could rebrand herself as a "woman's woman".
A source told the Mirror: "Holly was considering her position on the show earlier this year, as she couldn't see Phil being ousted.
"But that is now a real possibility and she wants to see a decision made on both of their futures quickly.
"That is what is behind Holly asking her team to reach out to ITV – she is trying to move things forward.
"There has been no bloodbath meeting yet, but that could well be to come. The sooner it happens, the sooner she can rebrand herself."
Shock statement
In a statement to The Sun, Phillip shut down any suggestion that his friendship with Holly had 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".
But Holly is said to have been ' blindsided' and 'deeply upset' by the statement as she had no idea Phil was going to speak publicly about their rumoured rift.
A source claimed it was "desperate stuff" from Phillip given the current state of their relationship. There was no public reply from Holly.
Missing tribute
Phillip announced he was stepping down as host of This Morning with immediate effect on Saturday - but his statement failed to address his co-host of over 13 years.
The TV stalwart said: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
"Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind. I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
"So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
Many fans took to social media after noticing there was no mention of Holly, who will continue to present the show, with one viewer commenting: "Working with someone that long and no mention of them in your statement...".
Meanwhile, Holly shared a sweet tribute to her former co-host on Instagram.
She wrote: "Hi everyone...It's been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won't feel the same without him."
Phillip shared his statement on Instagram but once again did not mention Holly.
And while we won't be seeing Phil each day on our screens, Holly is also currently off-air.
Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary were confirmed as This Morning's presenters on Monday as Holly will be taking a break over the school holidays.
Explaining Holly's absence, Dermot said on Monday: "Holly is taking a break over half term, she'll be back in the studio in two weeks."
