Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibe

16 May 2023 , 08:10
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Fern Britton
Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibe

Phillip Schofield 's former This Morning co-star, Fern Britton, has appeared to have publicly sided against the star who has found himself in hot water in recent weeks amid rumours of an ongoing feud with Holly Willoughby.

Fern, 65, made it clear that she is in no way backing Phillip as fans say his 'days are numbered' on the ITV programme.

It all came to a head when Fern appeared to gush over former This Morning host Eamonn Holmes after he publicly slammed Phillip during a segment on GB News, claiming that his job on This Morning could be replaced in the drop of a hat.

During his rant on GB News, Eamonn, 63, said he reckoned Holly and Phil should have been recognised at Sunday night's BAFTA TV Awards for the 'best actor' award.

Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibe qhiddxiqxeiqukinvHours after Eamonn called out Holly and Phil, Fern took to Twitter to announce that she had reunited with Eamonn (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking on his show, he said: "I think there should have been a special award for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for best actors.

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"They may or may not be together on the telly today. The public surely will suss that there's no chemistry, that it's a broken fit between the two of them and that This Morning does not depend on who presents it.

"It's an institution, it will carry on no matter who presents it and anyone can check the viewing figures, there's no difference between whether they present it or anyone else."

Just hours after Eamonn called out Holly and Phil, Fern took to Twitter to announce that she had reunited with Eamonn after several years.

Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibeHolly and Phil are reportedly feuding behind the scenes (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibeEamonn didn't hold back when slamming his former co-star (Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock)

The former This Morning presenter, who was axed from the show with Holly replacing her in 2008, said that she and Eamonn had the loveliest catch up over the phone after he called her out of the blue.

She tweeted on Monday evening: “Unexpected calls from old mates are so lovely.

“Just had the loveliest catch up with @EamonnHolmes. I think we have known each other since the 80’s when we were babies Shooting the breeze."

Naturally, amid the ongoing rumours that Phillip's time on This Morning could be up, Twitter users insisted that they knew what the topic of conversation between Fern and Eamonn during their unexpected phone call.

Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibeFern was dropped from This Morning in 2009 (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibeViewers called the programme 'awkward' amid Holly and Phil's 'feud'

"Mmmm wonder what hot topic of conversation you giggled and snorted about," one speculated.

“Did you discuss things like Karma and how truth always finds a way out? I love deep and meaningful convos like that," another wrote.

"I can bet anything that Phil's ears were burning last night, hahaha," someone else quipped.

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While a fourth added: "A phone call out of the blue from Eamonn with all this drama going on? Sorry, but Phil's days are numbered."

Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibeEamonn called out Phillip (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

On Monday, Phillip, 61, was back on the sofa with Holly, 42, after a source told the Mirror the presenter was ‘deeply upset’ after Phil released a public statement about their friendship following reports of a rift.

We revealed ITV bosses would be prepared to sack Phil from his role on the shows he and Holly co-present should viewers notice their 'chemistry' had changed.

In the statement, Phillip said things 'hadn't been easy for him' and called Holly his 'rock', claiming: "We're the best of friends - as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I've been there for her."

However, Holly has remained silent and is said to have felt 'blindsided' by Philip's bombshell statement.

Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibeThe pair appeared on the sofa together yesterday (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

ITV bosses are reported to have held a 'crisis talk' after Holly and Phillip 's appearance on This Morning on Monday.

The pair reunited on screen amid reports of a 'feud' between the pair, as it was claimed their friendship has 'cooled' following a series of issues in recent months from backlash over queue-gate and Holly's alleged upset that she was unaware of Phillip's brother's trial ahead of time.

Despite reported growing tensions between the pair, Holly and Phil attempted to put on a united front as they co-hosted This Morning yesterday.

But viewers couldn't help but point out the 'awkwardness' between the pair amid the ongoing drama.

Fern Britton's 'unexpected' meet with Eamonn after 'savage' Phil Schofield jibeHolly is said to have been blindsided by Phillip's statement about their friendship (ITV)

The comments on social media are said to have sparked 'crisis talks' amongst the ITV bosses and This Morning hosts.

A source has told the Daily Mail: "Social media is used as a barometer to see what the public think. Those in charge were left no under no illusion that it was a total disaster.

"It was painful for the This Morning team to work on and it was just as painful for them to watch.

"There was a meeting afterwards to discuss how it went that went on for some time. To be honest, everyone was just so relieved to get it over with, but even if the show does continue to go on for some time, it will continue to be a massive headache."

The Mirror has reached out to ITV and Holly and Phil's reps for comment.

Susan Knox

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