Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s reported feud has been at the centre of headlines in recent weeks - and culminated in Schofield confirming his departure from ITV's This Morning after two decades on Saturday (May 20). It was announced the 61-year-old was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk show with “immediate effect” after more than 20 years on the programme.
But the cracks in their relationship reportedly began three years ago when mum-of-three and 42-year-old Holly chose to leave Phil’s agents YMU Group, Birmingham Live reports.. She chose to leave YMU to start her own agency (Roxy Management) and started to distance herself from her presenter.
Holly - who is married to TV producer husband Dan Baldwin - ended up in a legal battle over their claim for 15 per cent of her future earnings. Birmingham Mail reports an insider saying: “She created her own female- led agency for a reason — and that was to champion women. The legal issues rumbled on for 18 months but Holly fought for what was right. Ultimately, Phil chose to stay and Holly chose to leave, it wasn’t easy at the time.”
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In 2018, for the first time ever, the popular ITV series I'm a Celebrity wasn't presented by Ant and Dec after Ant took a break after his drink-driving conviction and time in rehab. Holly stepped in, leaving the daytime show to help out Dec. “It was widely known in the industry that Phil was annoyed Holly was offered the jungle," a source said. “It was a massive break for her and she more than proved her mettle..”
It comes as Phil publicly admitted "the last few weeks haven't been easy for either" in a statement, which neither Holly or ITV reportedly knew he would be making. He shared: "As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.
"Holly has really been there for me through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us."
In the months leading up to his departure from This Morning, Phillip Schofield has faced a number of controversies. He has been at the centre of numerous headlines recently due to reports of a rift with his long-time co-host Holly Willoughby, his brother’s sex abuse trial and furore over his visit to the late Queen’s lying in state.
Reports began last week that the TV presenter and Willoughby were barely speaking off-camera. Following press coverage that their relationship had come under strain, Schofield hailed Willoughby as his “rock” in a statement to The Sun.
This Morning continues to air on ITV each and every weekday from 10am until 12.30pm and also airs on ITV X.
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