Eamonn Holmes took a savage swipe at his former ITV This Morning co-stars Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield following claims they 'queue jumped' during a visit to Westminster Hall to pay their respects as the late Queen Elizabeth II lay in state. Eamonn has been hosting his GB News show from outside Buckingham Palace since the Queen's death was announced on Thursday, September 8.
However, on Monday, September 19, Eamonn was back in the studio alongside his co-host Isabel Webster ready to report on the Queen's funeral. As they reflected on the four days of lying in state, Manchester Evening News reported that Eamonn's co-host introduced a guest "who suffered that queue and they were not of any insignificant age, we’ll be talking to them after this…"
Taking the opportunity to have a pop at his rival ITV stars, the 62-year-old interrupted: "What, Holly and Phillip?" Isabel and their guests, which included Christopher Biggins, reacted with stunned looks and giggles.
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Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were accused of 'jumping the queue' when they were spotted in Westminster Hall on Friday. The photograph caused a huge backlash.
This Morning was quick to issue a statement clarifying that the pair hadn't queue jumped but had been asked "to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme". Adding they "were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event."
Since then, Holly and Phillip said they "understood" the anger people felt but, according to the Mirror, said they went for everyone who "couldn't go".
They said, in a lengthy statement, that they were there as 'accredited' journalists, they went there to show all the people who were unable to attend Westminster Hall. They went on to insist they never took anyone else's place and would "never" jump the queue.
The statement said: "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. 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."
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