Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby present This Morning amid breakup rumors. Photo: ITV
When Philip Schofield came out as gay in 2020, there was one person he especially wanted to thank. «My friends are the best, especially Holly who was so kind and wise and who hugged me as I sobbed on her shoulder,» he wrote in an emotional Instagram post.
Moving on to this week, Holly Willoughby isn't quite as outspoken in hugs. Daytime television's golden couple is in a relationship crisis. Rumor has it that Schofield will be leaving This Morning soon, ending a 14-year partnership that once seemed unbreakable. Of course, the couple tried to hide it from viewers, especially on Monday, when they were assigned to look through the day's papers and ignored the front page of The Sun, which yelled «Furious Phil Calls Lawyer.»
They are a duo who have spent the last decade and a half describing each other as «best friends» in enthusiastic social media posts; who vacationed together every year; and whose funny on-screen chemistry has been a hit with audiences for so long, especially when they've been having such a hard time after winning the National Television Awards that they've gone to work the next morning without going to bed.
So what are the reasons for their alleged loss? Reports range from Willoughby being upset that Schofield didn't tell her about her brother's allegation of child sex crimes (Timothy Schofield was convicted last month after his trial at Exeter Crown Court) to her annoyance at how Schofield interrupted her. while she is interviewing guests. . Some say the situation has never been the same since the couple were accused of skipping the line at farewell to Elizabeth II, causing a public outcry and giving Willoughby its first taste of bad publicity.
But insiders say the real root of the problem lies in Schofield's personal life and the changes that have taken place since he announced to the world that he is gay. “Only by facing it, being honest, can I hope to find peace of mind and a way forward,” he explained at the time. «I've never been so proud of my friend as I am today,» Willoughby said, praising his bravery.
This morning with Holly and Phil, definition 'Smile and get over it'. A review of «Today's Big Stories» made some headlines. Phil reportedly turned to reputation management. They're pros, I'll give them that. But brrr. pic.twitter.com/ktTvAvsrpZ
— Julia Rayside (@JNRaeside), May 15, 2023
Schofield moved out of the house he shared with Stephanie, his 27-year-old wife and their two daughters. He bought a £2 million home in Chiswick and said he was «in no rush» to find a new partner.
Three years later, however, he is missing a significant other and sources say he is now cutting back on the relationship. lonely figure. Without familiarity with family life and routine, he's lost touch, say those connected with the show, increasingly uncertain and demanding of Willoughby's time and attention.
“Phil became needy,” says an insider to This Morning. “There was a role reversal: once Holly was a young host who looked up to Phil, and now she has become an adult in partnership.
“It didn’t work out the way Phil had hoped. . Now he is a lonely man with no family to return home to every day. He wants to spend time with Holly, but she has a husband and three kids and her own business [Wyldemoon, a lifestyle brand].
“It's not true to say they don't talk backstage. But everything got cold. It created an awkward atmosphere in the studio.» If these difficulties had not become public knowledge, over time they could resolve themselves. But television is gossip, and Schofield has enemies. Rumors of tensions on set soon leaked out and were gleefully picked up.
The smiling image of Willoughby's neighbor girl belies a smart business brain. “She is ultra-professional and loves to follow what the public sees in her life,” said a colleague. So she was horrified when Schofield responded to the rumors by issuing a public statement last week confirming their strained relationship. “Like I said, Holly is my rock,” it began.
“We are best friends — as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me no matter what. And I was there for her. The past few weeks have not been easy for us.”
Schofield's decision to go public was seen by his superiors as a sign that he was becoming increasingly unstable. On the Monday show, he appeared tearful more than once, although tearfulness has traditionally been Willoughby's trademark. His exaggerated attempts at humor were evident, and viewers don't like to be taken for fools.
Willoughby made it clear that she would stay at This Morning if Schofield left. Always pragmatic and career-oriented, she is well aware of her status as ITV's biggest asset and at 42 she has many years ahead of her. Schofield is 61 and his star is fading. Attempts to act in other directions have failed: his performance at the late Queen's platinum jubilee celebration last year was criticized. Martin Frizzel, editor of This Morning, is said to be tired of «sorting out [Schofield's] mess». Executives higher up the food chain are determined to hang on to Willoughby, fearing the BBC might offer her a tempting deal to spread her wings after daytime.
Also, Schofield doesn't have too many friends in the business That's why Willoughby's support is so important. There have been allegations of bossy behavior on set in the past.
Seeking media advice in recent days, Schofield has been told to take control of the story — hence his decision to hire a lawyer with the idea that any further potentially damaging allegations could be rooted out at the source. He is desperately trying to keep a job. There would have been other offers—Channel 5 could apply, and there are so many commercial radio stations these days that at least one of them would agree to play it—but being ousted from This Morning after so many years was would be humiliating. /p> 
Successful partnership: Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield host Dancing on Ice. Image Credit & Copyright: Jeff Pugh for the Telegraph
Schofield could rightly be upset by the twist of fate. He was already famous when he started presenting This Morning in 2002. After Britton announced she was leaving the show in 2009, he insisted that Willoughby be her replacement — the pair forged a successful partnership on ITV's Dancing on Ice — and said it was «hard to sell» to the bosses. Willoughby has admitted in the past that he owes his career to him.
But now she is driving. “If there is any negativity coming from somewhere, I don’t want to be a part of it,” Willoughby once said, and her desire to live without friction could end this long-term partnership. In the future This Morning, she may co-host the show with Alison Hammond or Dermot O' does not. I want Schofield's troubles to drag him down. Through her website Wyldemoon, offering advice on healthy living, serenity and make-up, Willoughby aims to be Gwyneth Paltrow's British answer.
In her latest entry in Wyldemoon magazine, Willoughby writes that she has learned to say no to things. “Every time I do this, everything starts to change, and in fact the most important thing I learned on this journey is that I’m not really going anywhere!” If anyone is going anywhere, it's her old buddy Phil.
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