Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have addressed accusations of “queue jumping” when going to see the Queen lying in state.
The This Morning presenters, who visited Westminster Hall as part of the world’s media to report on the event last week, told viewers that they “would never jump a queue” as they explained the rules in place for journalists and broadcasters.
Willoughby, 41, insisted that she and Schofield, 60, “respected” the rules in place, but “realise that it may have looked like something else” and therefore “totally understand the reaction”.
Speaking during a pre-recorded voiceover as part of a video montage capturing the events, she explained: “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 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 respects 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.”
The mother-of-three continued: “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.”
The TV personalities were also seen interviewing members of the public in the queue and shared their own reactions to the historic and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Willoughby agreed as Schofield described it as “one of the, if not the most profound moments of my life.”
Willoughby and Schofield’s appearance in Westminster Hall while members of the public waited more than 12 hours to pay their respects sparked a huge backlash online.
While ITV said they did not file past the coffin, a petition was started calling for their sacking, however there has been no suggestion this will happen.
Former ITV host Eamonn Holmes also appeared to criticise the presenters on a slot with GB News.
His co-presenter Isabel Webster introduced a guest “who suffered that queue and they were not of any insignificant age, we’ll be talking to them after this…”to which Mr Holmes said, “[Are we talking about] Holly and Phillip?”
Mr Holmes has previously appeared to criticise his screen compatriot - liking a tweet that called a celebration for Mr Schofield’s 40-year career “bizarre”. He also told the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine: “Phillip is renowned for snubbing people.”
ITV has been approached for comment.
On their Instagram page, a statement read: “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.”
