A petition aiming to get Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby axed from This Morning has reached 50,000 signatures.
The ITV presenters faced intense public backlash after photos emerged in which they appeared to be skipping the queue to see the late Queen lying in state. Holly, 41, and 60-year-old Phillip released a statement saying as members of the press, they did not have to join the queue as they were reporting on the events.
The pair addressed the backlash they have faced on their daytime show and assured people they "would never jump the queue". Despite this, a petition was filed on change.org to "axe" them from TV, reports the Mirror.
The petition - labelled 'Axe Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from TV' - was launched on Saturday by Laura Harrison, who called the duo 'toxic.' "If enough people sign we can show ITV that the public do matter," wrote Laura.
The original target for the online petition was 15,000 but it was then increased to 50,000, which it has now surpassed. Sources close to Holly say she has no intention of stepping aside from a job she loves as her and Phil weather the storm.
A TV source told The Mirror: "The abuse has been nothing short of disgusting, not least as they have done nothing wrong and were fully entitled to media accreditation so they could inform their viewers. There is huge, real and serious concerns over their wellbeing and ITV are fully supporting them behind the scenes in the face of such relentless trolling. The channel backs them 110 per cent."
Sources say that Holly and Phill have felt reassured by ITV's stance, and dismissed rumours that Holly could even quit the show, or that her job was in peril. The source added: "She adores her job and would never quit. The whole experience has been totally brutal but one thing has remained constant, and that’s been ITV’s unwavering support."
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