ITV bosses are reportedly set to go above and beyond to keep Holly Willoughby amid fears she may quit This Morning. Holly's contract is up for renewal in December, and TV bosses aren't certain she will stay on after being left "devastated" by last year's Queuegate drama.
Presenting duo Holly, 41, and Phillip Schofield, 60, were embroiled in a huge public scandal after the pair were accused of skipping the lengthy queues to see the Queen lying in state at Westminster Abbey.
The mother of three was left "frustrated" by the networks approach to the scandal, and upset by their decision that she should make the pair’s TV apology on her own. Holly has been a fan favourite on the show since she joined This Morning 14 years ago, and bosses are scrambling to get a deal together to ensure she doesn't leave.
A source told The Mirror: "The Queuegate backlash was absolutely devastating for Holly, but what made matters worse was the feeling it was mishandled. ITV’s decision to remain silent before finally issuing a statement was frustrating, as it felt like they were shutting the door after the horse had bolted.
"Then, to add insult to injury, Holly was left to explain the pair’s decision by herself, while Phil remained silent. The feeling was she bore the brunt of criticism over the scandal and that, unsurprisingly, left Holly feeling quite bruised."
The source added: "Bosses know last year was incredibly hard for her and as such, they are not approaching her contract negotiations with the same confidence as they have previously."
The presenting duo are still facing flack on the scandal now, as Kim Woodburn slammed Holly and Phil said they should have lost their jobs.
Appearing on the Not My Bagg podcast, hosted by Gogglebox stars Joe and George Baggs, Kim ranted: "They sneaked in and they put these press things they got, they sneaked in because they wouldn't stand in a queue, they are far too high and mighty.
"Don't listen to another word they say. They were not contracted, they were not allowed to film - nobody was, so they did sneak in. They should have lost their job because there was many a person standing there, people in wheelchairs."
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