Phillip Schofield is reportedly rejecting calls to quit This Morning amid his ongoing 'feud' with Holly Willoughby.
ITV bosses were reportedly left with 'their head in their hands' after Holly and Phil's friendship breakdown made its way into the House of Commons. MP Oliver Dowden described opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner as 'the Phil and Holly of British politics' at PMQs on Wednesday.
Explaining his statement, Mr Dowden said: "All lovey dovey on the surface, they turn it on for the cameras, but as soon as they're off, it's a different story. They're at each other's throats."
These cutting comments left ITV bosses scrambling to come up with a plan as the broadcaster organised another crisis meeting, according to MailOnline. The once-close friends have hosted This Morning together since 2009 and worked together for Dancing On Ice since 2006.
Despite years of being best pals and holidaying together, Holly, 42, and Phil, 61, are reportedly 'barely speaking' as TV bosses try to handle their 'feud'. One ITV insider told MailOnline that the Commons jibe as a 'cheap shot', while another added channel chiefs are realising 'enough is enough'.
They added: "You know things have got really serious when they're mentioned in the House of Commons. This is no longer just a bit of beef on Twitter. Those upstairs know they have to act – they just don't know what to do."
Another ITV insider described the situation between the two presenters as being like a 'runaway train that cannot be stopped'. Phil is seemingly ignoring calls for him to resign despite his appeal to viewers being on the decline.
Sources say it is causing a headache for ITV bosses because they are desperate to keep Holly while they would consider parting ways with Phil. One told the Mail: "Phil doesn't see why he should go. It's his job, he has steered the show for more than 20 years."
Since the drama unfolded, TV insiders are reporting that Phil seems increasingly 'withdrawn' amid the ongoing drama. A source told the Mirror: "[He is] almost a shell of himself. He seems down and spends a lot of time in his dressing room. We’re worried about him."
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