Crisis meeting at ITV after Holly and Phil’s return to This Morning: Bosses hold talks over next steps following wave of negative reaction to show as viewers slam ‘fake friends’ who looked ‘visibly uncomfortable’
ITV bosses called a crisis meeting following Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s return to This Morning today after seeing a wave of negative social media feedback about the show.
The pair, who are embroiled in one of the biggest fallouts in television, did not address their rift during the show.
But viewers described them as ‘awkward’ and ‘embarrassing’, and sources on the set said staff working on the programme found it ‘painful’.
After seeing the reaction on Twitter, with viewers panning both Ms Willoughby, 42, and Schofield, 61, ITV bosses are pondering what to do next.
One source told the Daily Mail: ‘Social media is used as a barometer to see what the public think. Those in charge were left no under no illusion that it was a total disaster.
‘It was painful for the This Morning team to work on and it was just as painful for them to watch.
ITV bosses held crisis talks today after Holly and Phil’s return to This Morning was met with a wave of negative feedback from social media users
Phillip Schofield seen leaving his west London home heading to work today before his show
There was a meeting afterwards to discuss how it went that went on for some time. To be honest, everyone was just so relieved to get it over with, but even if the show does continue to go on for some time, it will continue to be a massive headache.’
One viewer posted: ‘Phillip Schofield thinks he can fool us with this fake nice “everything is fine act” when Holly looks visibly uncomfortable being there.’
Another said: ‘How fake is this? Wow, couldn’t trust these two actors.’
A third wrote: ‘This is cringe. It feels awkward knowing theses two people don’t get along with each other. Fake friends.’
Adding to the theme, a fan commented: ‘Well this is awkward! All a bit dead behind the eyes with fake smiles.’
The feud began in September when the pair were criticised after failing to queue for the Queen’s Lying in State.
Today, former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes laid into the pair during his GB News show, saying there should have been a ‘special award’ for them at the Baftas for ‘best actors’.
Holmes, who fell out with Schofield years ago, added: ‘The public will surely suss that there’s no chemistry, that it’s a broken fit between the two of them. This Morning does not depend on who presents it.’
Today, former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes (pictured) laid into the pair during his GB News show, saying there should have been a ‘special award’ for them at the Baftas for ‘best actors’
The TV couple are also said to have held crisis talks with ITV bosses before today’s show
Phillip Schofield works out on the show. Body language expert Judi James said he was full of bravado
The This Morning hosts did a paper review with Gyles Brandreth and Camilla Tominey – but the front page stories about them were not touched upon
It is understood that Ms Willoughby was nervous about having to join Schofield on the sofa just days after he released a statement about their friendship without telling her first.
She is being supported by fellow presenter Alison Hammond, who has become a close friend.
This Morning editor Martin Frizell is also said to be furious that the show is making headlines about his presenters’ feud rather than its content.
However, there is a silver lining for bosses at the channel as viewing figures may be up.
There was also good news away from the studio for Ms Willoughby, whose Marks & Spencer clothing collection has received a boost.
A number of her items have been trending on its website all weekend, with an insider at the retailer saying that sales are rising.
Meanwhile, on Friday Schofield’s brother Timothy, 54, is due to be sentenced after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy.
Following his conviction at Exeter Crown Court last month, Schofield said: ‘I no longer have a brother.’
The sentencing hearing falls on the TV star’s day off, so Ms Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will host the show.
