22 May 2023 , 09:43
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This Morning fans have blasted Holly Willoughby ’s tribute to Phillip Schofield and his departure from the daytime show as “insincere”, but there’s a secret meaning behind the statement, it has been claimed.
TV star Phil, 61, sensationally announced his immediate exit from This Morning on Saturday, with his co-host Holly now scheduled to take an 'early half-term break' next week following the news.
The presenting duo had fronted the ITV show together for over 13 years, with the pair reported to be "barely" speaking off camera and away from their roles on the programme in recent weeks.
The Dancing On Ice host was reportedly informed of ITV's decision to remove him from the show just hours on from the star hosting what would become his final show with Holly on Thursday.
Following the announcement of his departure on Saturday, Phillip's former co-host Holly took to her Instagram Stories shortly after to acknowledge his statement and thank her one-time best friend for his knowledge.
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The presenting duo had fronted the ITV show together for over 13 years (ITV)Writing over a peach background, the mum-of-three penned: "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. [pink love heart emoji]"
Fans and critics have flooded Holly’s Instagram posts with comments, throwing their two cents into the conversation.
Some have slammed her statement as “insincere”, while others have blasted her and demanded she “step down” along with Phil.
Other messages have been full of praise and support for how Holly has handled daytime TV’s biggest fallout.
But it’s been claimed that there was a secret message hidden in her statement, in the form of the emoji tagged onto the end of it.
Holly had added a subtle single pink heart emoji to the end of her post, and while many saw it as a show of love and respect for her former co-star, others viewed it in an entirely different light.
Holly's statement may have been hiding a deeper meaning (INSTAGRAM)
Holly's seemingly supportive message has been picked apart by fans (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)It has been claimed the heart was a hint at Holly’s display of “girl power” by having Phil axed while she remained firmly in her seat on the sofa.
Since Phil stood down on Saturday there have been rumours the show could be permanently fronted by two women for the first time ever.
Friday host Alison Hammond is the current favourite to take Phil's place, with the former Big Brother star becoming a huge fan favourite in recent years.
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Alison and fellow part-time presenter Josie Gibson have both received huge praise from viewers while presenting the show as a double act or alongside Holly in the past.
The claims come after it was reported that Holly and Phil had come to a ceasefire after having held “peace talks” on the phone.
The pair are said to have had a private chat since Thursday’s show and called "something of a truce".
It’s been claimed that there was a secret message hidden in her statementAn insider told The Sun : "ITV bosses had to choose which horse to back - Phil or Holly. And it was clear where their loyalties lay." They added: "Holly is the real winner in all of this as she has emerged victorious and classy."
"It was basically an ultimatum, Holly won the war. We say what Holly wants, Holly gets and never was a truer word spoken," another said. Mum-of-three Holly, 42, is said to have the "full support of Martin Frizell, This Morning's veteran editor."
But other sources have claimed that there has been no thawing in the icy relationship between the duo and reports have emerged that Phil is “furious” with being told to step down.
Phil is reported to be "completely broken" despite reportedly being given a golden handshake of up to six months' pay - believed to be more than £300,000.
And it was recently reported that Phillip felt like he wasn't shown any "respect" by producers amid the drama.
"Phil feels he has been shown zero respect and he is devastated by how this has played out," an insider said.
Holly and Phil reportedly came to a “truce” after having held “peace talks” on the phone (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)"He thinks the way he was forced to step down was so unjust and he feels completely broken by how this situation has been handled."
Phillip shocked fans when he released a surprise statement at 3pm on Saturday, which read: "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 I love. So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope the show can move forward to a bright future.
"I’d like to thank everyone who supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month."