Holly Willoughby addresses Phillip Schofield controversy for the first time on This Morning
This Morning viewers have shared their divided reactions to Holly Willoughby’s emotional statement addressing the scandal surrounding her former co-host Phillip Schofield.
The 42-year-old returned to her presenting duties on the ITV programme on Monday (5 June) alongside temporary co-host Josie Gibson.
In a statement at the beginning of the episode, Willoughby said she felt “shaken, troubled, let down, and worried” for “the wellbeing of people on all sides of what’s going on”.
She acknowledged the furore surrounding Schofield admitting that he lied about an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague.
Schofield, 61, gave an interview to the BBC last week, where he described the impact of the media onslaught since he admitted to having a relationship with a This Morning employee while he was still married.
Stars including Piers Morgan, Jeremy Clarkson and Rupert Everett have all questioned the intensity of the backlash against Schofield. Writing in his column over the weekend, former Top Gear star Clarkson said he was “baffled” by the uproar.
This Morning viewers unimpressed by Willoughby statement
Viewers have reacted to Holly Willoughby’s emotional address as she returned to This Morning after Schofield, her former co-host, resigned.
Suffice to say, they seem to think it’s all a bit much.
(ITV)
‘I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite as patronising,’ one viewer said
Inga Parkel6 June 2023 05:00
Eamonn Holmes launches yet another attack on ‘big mouth’ Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield
My colleague Louis Chilton reports:
Roisin O’Connor6 June 2023 09:40
Piers Morgan defends ‘good friend’ Holly Willoughby after ‘patronising’ Phillip Schofield speech
Piers Morgan has defended Holly Willoughby from criticism following her divisive Phillip Schofield speech.
Peony Hirwani6 June 2023 09:00
Voices: Holly tried her damnedest – but This Morning is anything but a functional family
“What a masterful performance this was: smart and heartfelt, even if scripted. Revenge dress. Revenge hair,” writes Samuel Fishwick.
Peony Hirwani6 June 2023 08:30
Holly Willoughby has awkward on-air moment with Ruth Langsford after Eamonn Holmes’s This Morning criticism
Watch the moment Holly Willoughby had an awkward on-air encounter with Ruth Langsford, whose husband has been outwardly critical of Ms Willoughby following.
Holly Willoughby has awkward on-air moment with Ruth Langsford
Watch the moment Holly Willoughby had an awkward on-air encounter with Ruth Langsford, whose husband has been outwardly critical of Ms Willoughby following. During This Morning, Ms Willoughby had to hand over to Ms Langsford to preview her show Loose Woman, with both smiling through the palpable tension. Eamonn Holmes has branded Ms Willoughby a “big mouth” and even called her to be sacked after it became public knowledge that Philip Schofield lied about an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague. Meanwhile, Holly Willoughby and Ruth Langsford continue to both work on ITV’s daytime flagship talkshows.
Peony Hirwani6 June 2023 08:00
Watch: Holly Willoughby’s speech on This Morning compared to The Morning Show
Watch: Holly Willoughby’s speech on This Morning compared to The Morning Show
Peony Hirwani6 June 2023 07:30
Everything we know about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s ‘fall-out’
Peony Hirwani6 June 2023 07:00
Who is presenting This Morning after Phillip Schofield’s departure
Holly Willoughby made her return to This Morning on Monday 5 June, appearing for the first time since the departure of her co-host Phillip Schofield.
The presenter said she feels “shaken, troubled and let down” as she returned to the ITV show, but promised to “continue to work hard every single day” to bring viewers “the show that we love”.
Willoughby presented Monday’s episode with Josie Gibson, but a number of others could appear alongside her moving forward.
Here, The Independent takes a look at who could appear on This Morning.
Who is presenting This Morning after Phillip Schofield’s departure
Holly Willoughby made her return to This Morning on Monday 5 June, appearing for the first time since the departure of her co-host Phillip Schofield. The presenter said she feels “shaken, troubled and let down” as she returned to the ITV show, but promised to “continue to work hard every single day” to bring viewers “the show that we love”. Willoughby presented Monday’s episode with Josie Gibson, but a number of others could appear alongside her moving forward. Here, The Independent takes a look at who could appear on This Morning.
Peony Hirwani6 June 2023 06:30
Alison Hammond breaks down while discussing ‘painful’ Phillip Schofield interview
Holly Willoughby is not the first This Morning presenter to have displayed emotion publicly in the wake of Phillip Schofield’s departure.
On Friday’s edition (2 June) of the show, Alison Hammond addressed Schofield’s interviews in which he admitted to having lied about an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a “much younger” colleague.
Speaking with co-host Dermot O’Leary, Hammond admitted how “painful” she found the situation. “Obviously, I loved Phillip Schofield and it’s weird because I still love Phillip Schofield.
Isobel Lewis has the full report:
(This Morning/ITV)
‘As a family, we’re all really struggling to process everything,’ presenter said
Inga Parkel6 June 2023 06:00
My boss said he’d sack me if I didn’t flirt – I bet Schofield and Clarkson never had to deal with that
Don’t dismiss the Phillip Schofield scandal as a ‘workplace affair’. It’s more than that, especially when you’re in it like I was, writes Allegra Chapman.
Peony Hirwani6 June 2023 05:30
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