This Morning has been forced to issue a strongly worded statement denying hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield 'jumped the queue' to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall after days of vicious trolling.
Demands for the pair to be sacked reached fever pitch after David Beckham and Susanna Reid were spotted in the public queue - despite Holly and Phil working, not visiting in their own private time.
This Morning bosses decided to clear the air to quash any more unfounded abuse, The Mirror understands.
In an Instagram statement, the popular daytime telly show wrote: "Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something. We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.
“They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event.”
The This Morning hosts both donned all black ensembles as they prepared to film a segment for Tuesday's episode of ITV morning show from the historic London establishment.
Holly, 41, also wore a face mask as she walked in front of her co-host Phillip, 60, before the pair paid their respects to Her Majesty who is lying in state at Westminster Hall following her death on September 8.
In the absence of This Morning being on air on Friday, Holly and Phillip united to go and pay their respects using a separate entrance for journalists.
They made their way into the historic building to view the late monarch's coffin which is being seen by the public 24//7 until early Monday morning before her state funeral.
Phillip, 60, was seen on the BBC News live stream of Westminster Hall at around 10am. He opted to wear a smart black suit and tie for the visit, with a serious look on his face as he followed behind his co-star.
Holly, 41, appeared in front of her friend and colleague and at one point was seen looking back with tears filling her eyes.
The mum-of-three looked elegant in a black dress with silver button detailing along the front. She tied her long blonde locks back with a black scrunchie and wore a matching black mask.
ITV News' Mary Nightingale could also be seen behind them.
