Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby appeared on TV together today, for the first time since reports broke that they are no longer the best of friends.
The pair have a longstanding professional relationship and are best known for co-hosting This Morning, which they have done together since 2009.
The duo have also worked together on other projects including Dancing on Ice and are widely praised for their strong on-screen chemistry, warm rapport and banter.
READ MORE: This Morning fans baffled as 'nervous' Holly and Phil fail to address 'feud'
Off-screen they have been known to share a close friendship and once described their relationship as “like family”. Up until recent months their social media pages were full of gushing tributes to each other and photos of joint family holidays.
But in recent days, the pair have faced intense coverage as their reported private fallout became public knowledge.
Tensions were first reported following a magazine shoot April 2019, which focused on Holly, 42, and left Phil, 61, out.
The front cover of the Sunday Times magazine showed the TV pals posing next to one another cheek-to-cheek, but featured a cartoon crown over the top of Holly's head. Underneath, the strap line read: "Queen Holly: how Holly Willoughby eclipsed Phillip Schofield and became Britain’s hottest TV star.
At the time, a source told The Sun: "To say there has been a bit of tension is an understatement. The article itself was brilliant and the cover was a bit of irreverent fun. But Phillip was pretty peeved, to say the least - not with Holly but with how he had been usurped. For her part, Holly was also quite mortified and felt terrible.”
An ITV spokesperson dismissed the claims, calling reports of tension “malicious gossip”, adding: “Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off-screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.”
The pair’s relationship was called into question again during reports of a 'feud 'between Phil and his now departed co-host Ruth Langsford.
And once again ITV denied the claims, stating: "We have the smartest viewers watching telly and believe me they would be the first to notice any issues - they haven't because there are none."
More recently, sources have claimed that their frosty relationship is clear to see for those around the pair in the TV studio and is completely different to how they appear on TV.
Last week dad-of-two Phillip released a statement where he appeared to confirm the ‘feud’. He explained that the last few weeks "haven't been easy" for them.
He told The Sun: "The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. 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."
Despite Phil saying Holly was his "rock" in the statement, it is said to have blindsided her, with sources saying that the married mum-of-three wasn't aware Phil was going to release a statement at all.
The pair returned to This Morning today but failed to discuss their reported feud while reflecting on news headlines.
Their contracts are up for renewal in September and Holly is believed to be pushing bosses for a new deal after it emerged that she was willing to front the show without him.
Bosses are believed to be holding key meetings in the coming days to discuss his future on the show with reports suggesting his last appearance could be in the coming weeks.
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