Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are no longer speaking to each other off camera, it has been claimed.
This Morning bosses are said to be in ‘crisis talks’ over what to do with the ITV presenters following reports of a rift.
Insiders say Holly and Phil’s relationship has been ‘tense for months’ and they recently avoided each other at pal Keith Lemon’s 50th birthday party.
After presenting This Morning alone, sources say Holly is looking to branch out on her own and has realised she no longer needs Phil as her sidekick.
It follows a series of issues in recent months, including the backlash against them over ‘queue gate’ and Holly’s alleged upset at not being aware Phil’s brother was up in court for sex abuse charges, which he was later found guilty of.
Phillip, 61, later released a statement where he said the last few weeks "haven't been easy for either of us" but praised Holly's "support".
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Holly remained silent and is said to have felt "blindsided" by Philip's bombshell statement.
A source has now told New magazine there have been ‘tensions between Holly and Phil for months’.
The insider added: “They recently went to Keith Lemon’s birthday party and didn’t talk all night.
“Holly also presented This Morning with Alison Hammond and it made her realise she’s her own person and doesn’t need Phil by her side. They’re not Ant and Dec.”
The Mirror has approached reps for Holly and Phil for further comment on this story.
The Mirror exclusively revealed over the weekend that Holly has piled pressure on ITV bosses to begin contract negotiations – as her co-host Philip Schofield’s future hangs in the balance.
She is now said to have asked her team to reach out in a bid to speed up a decision about the hit show’s future line-up.
It comes as sources revealed Phil has fallen from grace after years of behind-the-scenes tension and he is even jokingly nicknamed 'The Grim Reaper'.
A source told the Mirror: “Holly was considering her position on the show earlier this year, as she couldn’t see Phil being ousted.
“But that is now a real possibility and she wants to see a decision made on both of their futures quickly.
“That is what is behind Holly asking her team to reach out to ITV – she is trying to move things forward.
“There has been no bloodbath meeting yet, but that could well be to come. The sooner it happens, the sooner she can rebrand herself.”
Phil has hosted This Morning since 2002 and with Holly since 2009. Prior to that the pair hosted Dancing on Ice together, which they still do, so have been pals for 17 years.
But suggesting things are not as they once were, Holly has since removed mentions of Phil from her social media handles and Phil is said to have brought lawyers and a PR team in as the duo figure out what to do next.
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