Holly Willoughby is reportedly having 'crisis talks' with This Morning bosses after being devastated by the backlash her alleged 'queue jumping' has stoked in viewers.
The ITV presenter and her co-star Phillip Schofield were accused of getting 'VIP treatment' to see Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state at Westminster Hall last week.
The duo have vehemently denied pushing in front of mourners and insisted they got through with 'official permission' that was 'strictly for reporting' as they are 'accredited journalists.'
The pair chose to directly address the situation during Tuesday's episode of This Morning where they put their loyal viewers straight on the claims.
However, despite issuing a lengthy statement, it has been claimed that behind the scenes a 'tearful' Holly has been devastated by the negative comments.
"Holly, in particular, has been left totally distraught by this. She's been in floods of tears at some of the things she's been called and of the behaviour she's been accused of," a source claimed.
"She'd never jump a queue or behave in that way and is heartbroken that people think she would."
They added to MailOnline : "Producers and staff at This Morning are rallying round. They are a close-knit team but there is a concern at how it has impacted on Holly and has left many wondering if it's pushed her close to the exit."
Mirror have contacted ITV, Phillip's reps and Holly's reps for comment on the situation.
During today's episode of This Morning, the duo started the show with a segment of video clips as they marked the past 10 days following the Queen's passing.
They also referenced the backlash and said they went to the lying in state to show all the people who were unable to attend Westminster Hall.
Holly and Phillip went on to insist they never took anyone else's place and would "never" jump the queue.
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"We were given official permission to access the hall, it was strictly for reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person," Holly said in a pre-recorded voice over.
She added: "The rules were, that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respect stood on a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause. None of the broadcasters or journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no one filed past the Queen."
However, she admitted they understood the backlash surrounding them being at the lying in state.
"We, of course, respected those rules. However, we realised it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know we would never jump the queue," Holly concluded.
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