12 May 2023 , 23:27
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This Morning may not air on Monday as bosses scramble to find a solution to the deepening crisis surrounding the show and its star Phillip Schofield - according to a report.
The ITV daytime show has been rocked in recent weeks - if not months - over a growing backlash about 61-year-old host Phillip.
Rumours of tensions between the ageing star and his 42-year-old co-star Holly Willoughby have been rumbling for years - but reports exploded last year when they were accused of skipping the queue to see the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state.
Tensions mounted in more recent weeks when Phillip took time away from the show while his brother, Tim Schofield, stood trial for sexual offences involving a child, Holly was absent when he returned to air, and viewers have been flooding social media with negative comments about the pair.
It has been suggested This Morning won't air on Monday (mirror.co.uk)The Daily Mail claims that This Morning bosses are refusing to deny that the show will be pulled from the schedules on Monday morning while they mull over Phil’s future on the show.
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They report: “[ITV] would not confirm that Monday's episode of This Morning would take place as normal.”
They also suggested that This Morning bosses were holding crisis talks to discuss next steps regarding Phil following reports that he had confronted Holly in a “tense” phone call.
The Mirror have contacted ITV for comment.
Holly and Phil's popularity imploded last year when they were accused of skipping the queue to see the Queen lying in state (ITV)Reports have suggested that relations between Holly and Phil have hit rock bottom - and were made worse when Phil released a statement confirming he and Holly are not as close as they once were.
A source told The Sun: "Things have been difficult between them. But for it to play out so publicly was the last thing Phil was ever expecting.
“He has spoken with Holly over the phone about how this all played out. He’s devastated by it all and is incredibly upset."
Phil is said to want to “fight for his job” - but is said to also be well aware of the loud backlash that has sparked against him from viewers of the ITV show.
Meanwhile, Holly is said to be ready to front the show alone as they are not a joint entity.
Back in 2019, the star was praised by daytime TV fans when she hosted This Morning alone when Phil called in sick one day.
She was celebrated by viewers for helming the show without Phil, with one tweeting at the time: “@hollywills rocking @thismorning on her own and what an amazing job you are doing Holly! The producers must be so happy! Such a wonderful presenter!!”
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Holly was praised in 2019 when she hosted the show alone (ITV)And another mused: “@thismorning @hollywills @Schofe great job Holly. How is it when your ill Phil needs a co-host and when Phil is ill you don't need help at all. Mmmm who is the best presenter now lol.”
It was reported at the time that Phil had fallen ill and show organisers were notified too late to find a cover presenter to work with Holly without him.