This Morning fans were taken aback this week as they claimed Fern Britton aimed a "dig" at Phillip Schofield.
Phillip sensationally quit the ITV show today, saying it had been a "difficult week", as speculation about his and Holly's friendship souring reached fever pitch.
It's not the first time Phil has had difficulty with a co-host as he and Fern fronted ITV's flagship daytime programme until 2009 when she surprisingly quit the show. The broadcasters admitted they argued throughout their working relationship but Phil said one heated conversation was probably the final straw.
According to Mirror Online, in his autobiography, Life Is What You Make It, Phil said he argued with Fern in a makeup room over the content of a show and was surprised when she accused him of "meddling". He said: "I walked back into the makeup room and calmly said, 'Please don't do that to me again.'
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"I think, for whatever reason, that was the point Fern decided she didn't want to do This Morning any more." After her exit, reports emerged that Fern left because Phil was being paid more than her.
However, Fern shot these rumours down in an interview on The Ray D'Arcy Show in 2020: "I began not to enjoy it so much and the morning I resigned, I didn’t know I was going to resign.
"Something happened and I thought, “That’s it really” and I walked away and resigned. I was treated pretty poorly, actually. And after a while I just thought, “Sod it”’.
She added: "There was also a persistent rumour that I left because Phillip was being paid more than me and I always say to people, “Why would I leave a show to go to nothing if I was worried about money?”’
Phil admitted four years after her exit that he and Fern no longer chatted. He told Heat in 2013: "No, not really.
"We were involved in the show and mates at the time, but we don't really. I see Phil [Fern's then-husband, chef Phil Vickery] when he's in This Morning... But we're not in touch now."
Reports of the strained relationship once again came to the fore during an exchange when This Morning celebrated its 30th birthday. Fern's interview was disrupted by a technical issue and it turned slightly awkward when she came back on air as the 65-year-old said she hadn't been invited to the This Morning BAFTA ceremony.
She said: "Congrats on the BAFTA. That was absolutely wonderful and brilliant. I would have loved to have been there but I didn't get an invitation."
Phil disputed this and claimed Fern she was on stage in Scotland at the time. Fern shot back: "I wasn't on Monday night, I would have come but I wasn't invited."
Phil later made a jibe on Twitter about Fern's memory. He said: "Odd really, because she was invited and declined #memoryloss we’d have loved her to be there. A vital and much loved part of the show."
Phil was asked why he had not assumed there had been "some type of miscommunication rather than making a jibe about '#memoryloss'". Fern retweeted the comment, remarking: "No. I had no invitation to decline."
However, it later emerged her agents had failed to give her the invitation after assuming she would be busy. Phil and Fern's "feud" has once again hit headlines this week amid reports that his current working relationship with Holly Willoughby has become strained.
It emerged last weekend that Holly had reportedly cut ties with her long-time TV co-host and close friend. The Mirror exclusively reported Holly had been pushing for ITV to make a decision on her co-host so she can rebrand herself and plan for the future if required.
Former This Morning host, Eamonn Holmes, waded in with his opinion amid the rumours as he said Phil and Holly should have been recognised at the BAFTA TV Awards for the "best actor" awards. After the jibe, Fern took to social media and revealed she had a conversation with Eamonn.
She said: "Unexpected calls from old mates are so lovely. Just had the loveliest catch up with @EamonnHolmes . I think we have known each other since the 80’s when we were babies. Shooting the breeze."
Fern hasn't commented directly on the reports surrounding Phil and Holly. Fans were convinced this was a reference to the current situation.
@AyeRight said: "Best subtweet ever!" Pablo added: "Discussing previous colleagues??"
Yvonne said: "And the Philip Schofield debacle I imagine...?" @Socialismislove posted: "Oh I see what you’re doing there"
Claire tweeted: "Absolutely no shade meant by this tweet right?"
"When I came out, she didn't text me. She did text Steph though, which was really kind," he wrote in his book.
Fern then said on talkRADIO: "We haven't seen each other for a very long time or spoken for a while. I'm glad for him. It's none of my business.
"He's getting on really, so, good. It's terrible that people have to hide who they are."
She added: "I feel for his wife. Steph's a lovely girl and, you know, that's difficult - as I've been talking about difficult transitions and processing stuff for me, it will be the same for her."
Phil has since quit the ITV show and presented his last episode on Thursday 18 May.
He said: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
“Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind. I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
Holly Willoughby will remain on This Morning and will co-present with members of the This Morning family.
“It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
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