Holly Willoughby appears to have broken her social media silence in order to help celebrate her This Morning co-star. The presenter hasn't been active on Instagram since it was announced that Phillip Schofield was 'stepping back' from the ITV daytime show after more than 20 years.
The shock news was announced by ITV on Saturday (May 20) and came after rumours were rife that he and co-host Holly were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes amid a 'rift' between the pair formerly close pair.
Phillip's exit was with 'immediate effect', meaning he appeared for the last time on the programme last Thursday (May 18). In hist statement, the 61-year-old said the programme had "become the story" and that he wanted to "do what I can to protect the show that I love" and he had therefore "agreed" to leave.
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Holly, 42 also, issued a statement in response to the news, which she also shared on Instagram, saying: "It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him."
Fans and commentators have been analysing Phillip and Holly's statements on his shock exit and claim to have spotted a 'snub' on both sides with the messages they sent out. GB News' Dan Wooton remarked: "No reference to friendship in her statement." @superTV247 tweeted: "Short statement from Holly Willoughby. #ThisMorning."
@RyanJL posted: "Damn, that statement from Holly Willoughby just says it all without saying a word. Wrap up warm, it’s freezing in here." @LaRainbow commented: "Wow. Philip Schofield has left #ThisMorning - no mention of Holly Willoughby in his statement." @JoshRomOnAir added: "Phil not mentioning ‘best friend’ Holly Willoughby in his exit statement."
Holly has since remained quiet on social media and hasn't returned to This Morning, where she'll continue to front the show alongside a number of the programme's other presenters. She made the decision to take an extra week off work ahead of her pre-planned half-term break next week. The mum-of-three will therefore return to the helm of the show on June 5.
However, it was spotted that Holly had "liked" a post from This Morning on Instagram as the show celebrated Dermot O'Leary's birthday with a special montage of photos as he took a day off from standing in to celebrate turning 50. Many other celebrities. however, rushed to send him birthday wishes while fans admitted they 'couldn't believe' he was celebrating the big 5-0.
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