Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, the co-hosts of ITV’s flagship daytime TV programme, chose to ignore headlines about their off-air feud as they tried to present a cosy front on the studio sofa.
Following days of front page headlines about reports of their strained relationship, Monday’s show opened with a review of the papers that avoided the subject altogether.
The front page of the Sun had declared that “Furious Phil calls in lawyers” and other newspapers ran prominent stories about what they said were “crisis talks” between the pair and ITV.
But Schofield, Willoughby and their guests, Gyles Brandreth and Camilla Tominey, spoke only about other stories including Eurovision, potential space travel to Australia, working from home, and Brandreth’s jumper.
It was the pair’s first appearance together on This Morning since Schofield alluded to a strain in their relationship. There had been doubts about whether one or both of the presenters would appear on the show this week.
Instead they opted to try to present a united front with no reference to the reported rift.
But viewers claimed they picked up on the awkward chemistry between the pair.
The show began with Disney composer Alan Menken playing a medley on a piano. Willoughby said: “Oh, that was so nice.”
Schofield added: “What a way to start your Monday this morning.”
Turning to Willoughby, he said: “That is right up our street.” His co-star agreed: “Right up my street. It’s just a little taste of what we’ve got coming up later ahead of the release of The Little Mermaid.
“Award-winning Disney composer Alan Menken will be performing a medley of some of his best-known songs and I’m going to try really hard not to sing along. You might have to gag me.”
Schofield joked: “This could be your audition. This could be your big moment.”
Last Thursday, Schofield told the Sun that “Holly is my rock”. But in a statement that was reportedly not cleared by his co-presenter he added: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”
The pair’s relationship is reported to have begun to fray last September after they were criticised over claims they skipped the queue for Queen Elizabeth II’s lying in state.
Schofield took a planned break from the show during the trial of his younger brother Timothy Schofield on child sexual abuse charges at Exeter crown court last month. Timothy Schofield is due to be sentenced later this week after being found guilty on 11 offences against a teenage boy.
Willoughby also recently pulled out of presenting the show after reportedly suffering from shingles.
The pair, who also present ITV’s Dancing on Ice, have been co-presenting This Morning for 14 years.
