‘This Morning does not depend on who presents it:’ Eamonn Holmes lets rip at his ex co-stars Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as he insists their TV partnership ‘is a broken fit’
Eamonn Holmes launched a blistering attack on his former This Morning co-stars Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on Monday morning.
Amid crisis talks at ITV over the future of its two top stars, Eammon called the partnership ‘a broken fit’ as he discussed the fallout on his GB News show.
Referring to Sunday night’s BAFTA TV Awards, at which neither Phil nor Holly made an appearance, Eammon quipped: ‘I think there should have been a special award for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for best actors.’
‘They may or may not be together on the telly today. He’s brought in lawyers, she’s brought in a PR team. 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.’
‘Broken’: Eammon Holmes launched a blistering attack on his former This Morning co-stars Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on Monday morning
Continuing, the ex This Morning star insisted: ‘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.’
Eamonn co-hosted the ITV daytime show with his wife Ruth Langsford from 2006 until August 2021, until being ‘dropped’ by ITV and replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
Meanwhile Phil and Holly both looked solemn as they set off for work early on Monday where they will be together on the This Morning despite their degenerating relationship.
The 61-year-old, wearing jeans, a casual shirt and boots, strode out of his West London home at around 6.30am and into a waiting BMW.
At 10am millions will be watching This Morning as he appears on screen with Holly following crisis talks between ITV and the embattled pair over whether one of them, both or neither would be on air today.
Phil is trying to ‘tough out’ the ongoing row after it emerged he had called in his own lawyers over the fallout with his co-presenter, sources have revealed. He has also employed a new PR man to help improve his press coverage.
It comes as ITV confirmed that the pair will host the show this morning, after more than 48 hours of crisis talks. Those close to the pair said today’s programme will continue to run smoothly, despite the feuding behind the scenes.
One source told The Sun: ‘Holly and Phil are professionals and they can turn it on like no one else.
On air attack: Amid crisis talks at ITV over the future of its two top stars, Eammon called the partnership ‘a broken fit’ as he discussed the fallout on his GB News show on Monday morning
‘Although behind the scenes their relationship is nothing like it was, they are both dedicated to This Morning and keeping it together for viewers.’
Bosses from the broadcaster were allegedly furious after Schofield, 61, broke his silence with a shock statement about the fall out with his co-host of 14 years admitting ‘the last few weeks haven’t been easy for us’.
Despite this, Schofield believes he can weather the ongoing storm but even those close to him have said it is down to whether the audience believes the pair still have on-screen chemistry.
Sources at the broadcaster described the situation as a ‘quandary’ for its bosses because both of the former friends were determined to get their own way.
Schofield, 61, has consulted lawyers over the situation, which has been spiralling out of control for months.
The Daily Mail revealed last night that he has also hired Gordon Smart, a former Sun showbiz columnist and occasional Good Morning Britain host, to manage the crisis and ensure favourable press coverage.
Ex colleagues: Eamonn co-hosted the ITV daytime show with his wife Ruth Langsford from 2006 until August 2021, until being ‘dropped’ by ITV
It is a clear sign, say sources, that he is ‘taking this very seriously’ and is ‘keen to come out of the situation quickly’.
The feud began in September when the pair were criticised after failing to queue for the Queen’s Lying in State.
Things have become so bad that it is said they no longer speak when the cameras stop rolling. Ms Willoughby, 42, has now cut all ties with Schofield other than her This Morning commitments.
It is understood that producers had several options for how to tackle tomorrow’s show. At the centre of the decision was editor Martin Frizell, who backs Ms Willoughby.
It will be the first time the pair will appear together since Schofield released a statement about their friendship last Thursday without consulting her first. While on air that morning they failed to convince viewers they were still friends, with Ms Willoughby apparently unable to look her co-star in the eye.
Insiders predict a battle between ITV and Schofield. He has been a powerful figure there for more than 20 years, but his influence is waning. Bosses want to keep Ms Willoughby happy, and staff on This Morning expect the tense atmosphere in the studio to become more difficult.
On screen: Monday will be the first time the pair will appear together since Schofield released a statement about their friendship last Thursday without consulting her first
While the co-hosts’ return is expected to boost ratings, executives fear that reviving their partnership will make viewers suspicious of any forced bonhomie. One insider said: ‘This will seriously undermine the show and its reputation. How can they pretend to joke together?
‘Their friendship used to be genuine, but it isn’t any more, so surely they will be making fools of their audience. But neither will back down. How can you just tell one of them they are to stay at home?
‘The headlines that will come from them being on together could really damage the show and its brand.’
Schofield disappeared from the airwaves for more than a fortnight last month while his brother Timothy, 54, was tried at Exeter Crown Court of sexually abusing a teenage boy. After he was convicted, the TV star said: ‘I no longer have a brother.’
