EXCLUSIVE: Phillip Schofield facing ‘D-Day’ as he fights to avoid This Morning AXE over Holly ‘rift’
ITV bosses will act fast if it becomes clear viewers no longer believe in the chemistry between two presenters after their friendship cooled
Phillip Schofield is fighting to keep his job on TV, insiders claim.
Bosses will act fast to axe Schofield, 61, if they feel his on-screen chemistry with Holly Willoughby has been damaged, insiders warn.
ITV are angry he went public on the pair’s “rift”. A source said: “Monday is very much D-day.”
The This Morning star went public on the apparent rift with his co-host in a statement that sources claim neither she nor the station knew about.
The 61-year-old was accused of a PR own goal by describing Holly, 42, as his “rock” after he came out as gay but admitting recent weeks “haven’t been easy for either of us”.
Insiders claim ITV and Holly believe that statement has made the situation worse.
One added: “This Morning’s relationship with its viewers is built on trust, and they have to believe that Holly and Phil’s friendship, and what they’re watching, is real.
Holly and Phil have had a close working relationship for years (
WireImage)
“While there was a bit of noise and speculation about their relationship cooling, it could have easily been ignored.
“But by putting this statement out there, he has turned what was a manageable situation into a feeding frenzy. If viewers now no longer believe in the pair, and make their views clear next week, make no mistake, ITV will act.
“Phil’s position is looking increasingly precarious. Monday is very much D-day, but the same could apply to any day next week. No one is bigger than the brand.”
The source said the irony over speculation about Schofield’s relationship with Holly is that while it has changed over the years, the claims about tensions behind the scenes were “massively overblown”.
Holly and Phil at Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin (
ITV)The insider added: “Yes, they aren’t as chummy as before, but any suggestion they were at loggerheads and not talking off-air was false.
“But despite not meaning to, Phil’s public statement has now created this perception, and if that cuts through to the viewers, it’s over.”
His and Holly’s contracts are up at the end of the year, with negotiations set to start on any potential renewal in the summer.
Another TV insider pointed out: “Put it this way, Phil is not in the middle of a five-year deal. There is a natural cut off point if viewers no longer believe in them as a duo.”
Schofield with his brother Tim (
Instagram/ Phillip Schofield)
Schofield recently returned to the show, which pulls in around two million viewers, after taking leave around his brother Timothy’s sex abuse trial at Exeter crown court last month.
The 54-year-old pervert was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019.
Schofield has been a regular presenter on This Morning since 2002 alongside hosts including Fern Britton and Amanda Holden.
Last year, he and Holly faced criticism over claims they skipped the massive queue for the late Queen’s lying in state after her death in September.
