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Christopher Megrath & Kristy Dawson

Eamonn Holmes' cryptic response to suggestions Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield should be sacked

Eamonn Holmes has responded to suggestions that Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield should be sacked with a cryptic response.

The This Morning presenters were scrutinised after they reportedly skipped the line for the Queen's lying-in-state. Thousands of people queued for hours to enter Westminster Hall in London and pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II.

Former England footballer David Beckham and Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid lined up with members of the public and waited hours to say a final farewell to the UK longest-serving monarch.

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Following intense backlash, the pair issued a statement during the ITV show on Tuesday. They told viewers they were there in a "professional capacity" and did not take anyone's place in the queue.

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes on The Mall near Buckingham Palace in central London. (PA)

The Liverpool Echo has now reported how former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes responded to suggestions that he and his wife, Loose Women's Ruth Langsford, should take their positions.

The original comment on Twitter said: "I always preferred @EamonnHolmes and @RuthieeL #ThisMorning." Another user replied to the tweet, posting: "They should be sacked Eamonn and Ruth are far better"

Eamonn, who currently working for GB News, replied to the thread with a three praying hands emoji together. In another comment, he said: "Ha ha... nice one."

The 62-year-old already hit out at the situation after the scandal broke during his Breakfast programme.

His co-host, Isabel Webster, said they had a guest coming up who had "suffered" the mammoth queue to see the Queen, adding that they were "not of any insignificant age," to which Eamonn quipped: "What? Holly and Phillip? Are we speaking to them?"

After Dawn gasped and put her hands over her mouth, Isabel put the boot into the two This Morning hosts, replying: "This isn't a queue jumper, this is someone who paid their dues."

Holly explained the situation to the members of the general public during their statement on Tuesday.

The mum-of-three said: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall. It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who have not been able to visit Westminster in person.

"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respect walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.

"None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one filed past the Queen. We of course respected those rules. However, we realise that it may have looked like something else, and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump a queue."

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