Eamonn Holmes drew shock and laughter as he took an opportunity to make a dig at former This Morning co-stars Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Since the Queen's death was announced on September 8, the veteran presenter has been hosting his GB News show from outside Buckingham Palace.
On Monday morning, ahead of the Queen's state funeral which began after the last mourners paid their final respects to Queen Elizabeth II after four days of lying in state, Eamonn was back alongside his Breakfast co-host Isabel Webster. The pair were previewing the historic event, the first state funeral in 57 years.
Following the closing of Westminster Hall at 6.30am, the Queen was taken to Westminster Abbey on the state gun carriage, followed by the King, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex.
But as they still discussed the four days of lying in state, Eamonn's co-host Isabel 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?"
He got stunned looks and giggles from Isabel and their guests, who included Christopher Biggins. It comes after an outpouring of outrage ensued after Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were accused of 'jumping the queue' when they were spotted in Westminster Hall on Friday.
This Morning has since hit back at the claims. A statement on the programme’s Instagram account said: “Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something. We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme. They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event."
But This Morning viewers haven't all accepted the explanation and are calling for the pair to be sacked from the ITV daytime show. It comes after fellow ITV star Susanna Reid, who hosts Good Morning Britain, queued for several hours with her 81-year-old mother and former footballer David Beckham spent more than 12 hours waiting to pay his respects among thousands of other mourners.
And in the final night of the Queen's lying in state, singer James Blunt was spotted alongside his wife Sofia Wellesley in the miles-long queue stretching through London. The You're Beautiful singer wore a black suit and tie as he waited to pay his respects, with Sofia, who is the granddaughter of Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Wellington.
Line of Duty star Daniel Mays has shared with fans details of his own 11-hour wait in the queue. The actor, who played Danny Waldron in the hit BBC police procedural, shared photos of himself as he made his slow progress through the queue. H described the experience as 'magical' before adding: "Made me proud to be British and proud to be a Londoner."
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