Phillip Schofield has broken his silence after reports that he is "barely speaking" to fellow This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby off-screen. Insiders are quoted as saying the stars' ' 14-year friendship has "cooled".
It has also been claimed that issues on the ITV show have "rumbled for some time". However, Phillip has now explained what's going on, admitting that recent events for his family - including his brother being sent to prison after being convicted of 11 sexual offences against a child - have been a real "ordeal".
He told The Sun: "The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. My family went through a real ordeal.
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"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 always been there for me through thick and thin, and I've been there for her.
"Holly's support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing followers. And of course Holly has herself been ill with shingles."
The presenting duo have been on This Morning all week, and body language expert Judi James said Holly looked "painfully uncomfortable" while Phil appeared "childishly sarcastic". She said: "The first few moments of the show looked toe-curling.
"Phil was in jaunty overkill mode, looking super-perky and rather self-amused in a way that seemed to be served with a hint of sarcasm. Holly began to look uncomfortable, using some bent-wrist gestures and rubbing her forehead in a way that made her look passive.
"As Phil got bouncier Holly got less comfortable, standing in the end clutching one wrist with her arms in a barrier ritual."
It comes after insiders told the publication that their relationship has "cooled" following issues which have "rumbled for some time" on the ITV show.
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