Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby have shared their own personal messages of gratitude after This Morning picked up its latest National Television Award. The ITV daytime show saw off competition from Loose Women, The Chase and The Repair Shop to take home the award on Thursday (October 13) during the ceremony held at London’s OVO Wembley Arena.
It comes soon after the pair faced criticism over the past couple of weeks following claims they skipped the queue for the Queen’s lying in state. As This Morning was announced as the winner for the Daytime category, a stunned Phillip put his head in his hands and appeared to hold back tears.
Holly looked equally as surprised and pleased as she immediately hug her co-star and off-screen 'bestie'. Holly, 41, then rushed off to embrace Alison Hammond, who had not long missed out on a solo award for TV Presenter. But while their fellow TV stars applauded it has been reported that the crowd around them audibly booed as the programme was named the winner for the fifth year in a row.
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Collecting the award in front of the live audience and live on ITV, Phillip, 60, said: "Don’t think we ever get complacent and please don’t think we ever take this for granted. This means so much to us every year, especially this year. We have the most amazing team. I have the best friend, we have the best boss."
Holly, 41, added: "Thank you so much, this award means everything because it is voted by you, and I think This Morning has a very special relationship with you. You make our show for us, you really do."
As they headed backstage to chat to press and get their photos taken with their new shiny award, Phillip was awkwardly questioned about the queue scandal, which began on September 17 when he and Holly were spotted in Westminster Hall. He was asked by a member of the press: "Phil do you think this vindicates you for queue-gate?
"Do you think now that you've won this the public have said 'actually we don't care that much' about queue gate?" But Phillip replied: "We are so grateful to our amazing viewers. We love them" before rushing off in a clip that has now been shared on social media.
But Phillip has since shared his own message with his million of Instagram followers. Sharing a photo of him on stage with the NTA in hand and Holly with her arms wrapped around him in a hug, he wrote: "I love you @hollywilloughby and our entire @thismorning family. Thank YOU for every single vote 'cos we love you most x."
Holly also took to her own Instagram grid and shared a grinning selfie of the pair sat in their seats at the glitzy awards bash. "Thank you… holy moly… we love you… @thismorning … you are the best team, you work so hard to make the show what it is…" the mum-of-three typed.
"We want to thank each and every one of you for voting… you have made this night an absolute dream… thank you also @officialntas for having us… @joeldommett you are a class act…"
And fans were happy for the pair. @SophieDB123 tweeted: "Oh people are gonna go OFF at this win but I am very very happy for holly and phil x #ntas." @mulleralexander shared: "Lovely to see Phil and Holly happy with their well deserved award #NTAs." @Shelley_Bxx added: "YES! So happy for Holly and Phil #ThisMorning #NTAs."
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